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Bolay P, Dodge N, Janssen K, Jensen PE, Lindberg P. Tailoring regulatory components for metabolic engineering in cyanobacteria. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14316. [PMID: 38686633 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The looming climate crisis has prompted an ever-growing interest in cyanobacteria due to their potential as sustainable production platforms for the synthesis of energy carriers and value-added chemicals from CO2 and sunlight. Nonetheless, cyanobacteria are yet to compete with heterotrophic systems in terms of space-time yields and consequently production costs. One major drawback leading to the low production performance observed in cyanobacteria is the limited ability to utilize the full capacity of the photosynthetic apparatus and its associated systems, i.e. CO2 fixation and the directly connected metabolism. In this review, novel insights into various levels of metabolic regulation of cyanobacteria are discussed, including the potential of targeting these regulatory mechanisms to create a chassis with a phenotype favorable for photoautotrophic production. Compared to conventional metabolic engineering approaches, minor perturbations of regulatory mechanisms can have wide-ranging effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bolay
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE, Sweden
| | - Nadia Dodge
- Plant Based Foods and Biochemistry, Food Analytics and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Janssen
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE, Sweden
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Plant Based Foods and Biochemistry, Food Analytics and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE, Sweden
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2
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Jeong GJ, Khan F, Tabassum N, Kim YM. Cellular and physiological roles of sigma factors in Vibrio spp.: A comprehensive review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127833. [PMID: 37918595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio species are motile gram-negative bacteria commonly found in aquatic environments. Vibrio species include pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic strains. Pathogenic Vibrio species have been reported in invertebrates and humans, whereas non-pathogenic strains are involved in symbiotic relationships with their eukaryotic hosts. These bacteria are also able to adapt to fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and pH, in addition to oxidative stress, and osmotic pressure in aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, they have also developed protective mechanisms against the immune systems of their hosts. Vibrio species accomplish adaptation to changing environments outside or inside the host by altering their gene expression profiles. To this end, several sigma factors specifically regulate gene expression, particularly under stressful environmental conditions. Moreover, other sigma factors are associated with biofilm formation and virulence as well. This review discusses different types of sigma and anti-sigma factors of Vibrio species involved in virulence and regulation of gene expression upon changes in environmental conditions. The evolutionary relationships between sigma factors with various physiological roles in Vibrio species are also discussed extensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geum-Jae Jeong
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Fazlurrahman Khan
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nazia Tabassum
- Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mog Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Collins KM, Evans NJ, Torpey JH, Harris JM, Haynes BA, Camp AH, Isaacson RL. Structural Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Sigma Factors. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041077. [PMID: 37110501 PMCID: PMC10141391 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use an array of sigma factors to regulate gene expression during different stages of their life cycles. Full-length, atomic-level structures of sigma factors have been challenging to obtain experimentally as a result of their many regions of intrinsic disorder. AlphaFold has now supplied plausible full-length models for most sigma factors. Here we discuss the current understanding of the structures and functions of sigma factors in the model organism, Bacillus subtilis, and present an X-ray crystal structure of a region of B. subtilis SigE, a sigma factor that plays a critical role in the developmental process of spore formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Collins
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Nicola J Evans
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - James H Torpey
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Jonathon M Harris
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Bethany A Haynes
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Amy H Camp
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
| | - Rivka L Isaacson
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
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Li LH, Wu CM, Chang CL, Huang HH, Wu CJ, Yang TC. σ P-NagA-L1/L2 Regulatory Circuit Involved in ΔompA299-356-Mediated Increase in β-Lactam Susceptibility in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0279722. [PMID: 36350132 PMCID: PMC9769791 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02797-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OmpA, the most abundant porin in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KJ, exists as a two-domain structure with an N-terminal domain of β-barrel structure embedded in the outer membrane and a C-terminal domain collocated in the periplasm. KJΔOmpA299-356, an ompA mutant of S. maltophilia KJ with a truncated OmpA devoid of 299 to 356 amino acids (aa), was able to stably embed in the outer membrane. KJΔOmpA299-356 was more susceptible to β-lactams than wild-type KJ. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the ΔompA299-356-mediated increase in β-lactam susceptibility (abbreviated as "ΔOmpA299-356 phenotype"). KJΔOmpA299-356 displayed a lower ceftazidime (CAZ)-induced β-lactamase activity than KJ. Furthermore, KJ2, a L1/L2 β-lactamases-null mutant, and KJ2ΔOmpA299-356, a KJ2 mutant with truncated OmpA devoid of299 to 356 aa, had comparable β-lactam susceptibility. Both lines of evidence indicate that decreased β-lactamase activity contributes to the ΔOmpA299-356 phenotype. We analyzed the transcriptome results of KJ and KJΔOmpA299-356, focusing on PG homeostasis-associated genes. Among the 36 genes analyzed, the nagA gene was upregulated 4.65-fold in KJΔOmpA299-356. Deletion of the nagA gene from the chromosome of KJΔOmpA299-356 restored β-lactam susceptibility and CAZ-induced β-lactamase activity to wild-type levels, verifying that nagA-upregulation in KJΔOmpA299-356 contributes to the ΔOmpA299-356 phenotype. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that rpoE (Smlt3555) and rpoP (Smlt3514) were significantly upregulated in KJΔOmpA299-356. The deletion mutant construction, β-lactam susceptibility, and β-lactamase activity analysis demonstrated that σP, but not σE, was involved in the ΔOmpA299-356 phenotype. A real-time quantitative (qRT-PCR) assay confirmed that nagA is a member of the σP regulon. The involvement of the σP-NagA-L1/L2 regulatory circuit in the ΔOmpA299-356 phenotype was manifested. IMPORTANCE Porins of Gram-negative bacteria generally act as channels that allow the entry or extrusion of molecules. Moreover, the structural role of porins in stabilizing the outer membrane by interacting with peptidoglycan (PG) and the outer membrane has been proposed. The linkage between porin deficiency and antibiotic resistance increase has been reported widely, with a rationale for blocking antibiotic influx. In this study, a link between porin defects and β-lactam susceptibility increase was demonstrated. The underlying mechanism revealed that a novel σP-NagA-L1/L2 regulatory circuit is triggered due to the loss of the OmpA-PG interaction. This study extends the understanding on the porin defect and antibiotic susceptibility. Porin defects may cause opposite impacts on antibiotic susceptibility, which is dependent on the involvement of the defect. Blocking the porin channel role can increase antibiotic resistance; in contrast, the loss of porin structure role may increase antibiotic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Mu Wu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lun Chang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hui Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Jung Wu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsuey-Ching Yang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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5
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Rosario C, Tan M. Chlamydia trachomatis RsbU Phosphatase Activity Is Inhibited by the Enolase Product, Phosphoenolpyruvate. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0017822. [PMID: 36121291 PMCID: PMC9578391 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00178-22] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular pathogen Chlamydia temporally regulates the expression of its genes, but the upstream signals that control transcription are not known. The best-studied regulatory pathway is a partner-switching mechanism that involves an anti-sigma factor, RsbW, which inhibits transcription by binding and sequestering the sigma subunit of RNA polymerase. RsbW is itself regulated by an anti-anti-sigma factor, RsbV, whose phosphorylation state is controlled by the phosphatase RsbU. In this study, we showed that Chlamydia trachomatis RsbU requires manganese or magnesium as a cofactor and dephosphorylates RsbV1 and RsbV2, which are the two chlamydial paralogs of RsbV. The gene for RsbU is adjacent to the enolase gene in a number of Chlamydia genomes, and we showed that eno and rsbU are cotranscribed from the same operon. In other bacteria, there is no known functional connection between the Rsb pathway and enolase, which is an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. We found, however, that Chlamydia RsbU phosphatase activity was inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), the product of the enolase reaction, but not by 2-phosphoglycerate (2PGA), which is the substrate. These findings suggest that the enolase reaction and, more generally, glucose metabolism, may provide an upstream signal that regulates transcription in Chlamydia through the RsbW pathway. IMPORTANCE The RsbW pathway is a phosphorelay that regulates gene expression in Chlamydia, but its upstream signal has not been identified. We showed that RsbU, a phosphatase in this pathway, is inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate, which is the product of the enolase reaction. As enolase is an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, these results reveal an unrecognized link between glucose metabolism and gene regulation in chlamydiae. Moreover, as these intracellular bacteria acquire glucose from the infected host cell, our findings suggest that glucose availability may be an external signal that controls chlamydial gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Rosario
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Ming Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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6
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De Wannemaeker L, Bervoets I, De Mey M. Unlocking the bacterial domain for industrial biotechnology applications using universal parts and tools. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108028. [PMID: 36031082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology can play a major role in the development of sustainable industrial biotechnology processes. However, the development of economically viable production processes is currently hampered by the limited availability of host organisms that can be engineered for a specific production process. To date, standard hosts such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are often used as starting points for process development since parts and tools allowing their engineering are readily available. However, their suboptimal metabolic background or impaired performance at industrial scale for a desired production process, can result in increased costs associated with process development and/or disappointing production titres. Building a universal and portable gene expression system allowing genetic engineering of hosts across the bacterial domain would unlock the bacterial domain for industrial biotechnology applications in a highly standardized manner and doing so, render industrial biotechnology processes more competitive compared to the current polluting chemical processes. This review gives an overview of a selection of bacterial hosts highly interesting for industrial biotechnology based on both their metabolic and process optimization properties. Moreover, the requirements and progress made so far to enable universal, standardized, and portable gene expression across the bacterial domain is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien De Wannemaeker
- Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Indra Bervoets
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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7
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Huang Y, Wurihan W, Lu B, Zou Y, Wang Y, Weldon K, Fondell JD, Lai Z, Wu X, Fan H. Robust Heat Shock Response in Chlamydia Lacking a Typical Heat Shock Sigma Factor. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:812448. [PMID: 35046926 PMCID: PMC8762339 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.812448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells reprogram their transcriptome in response to stress, such as heat shock. In free-living bacteria, the transcriptomic reprogramming is mediated by increased DNA-binding activity of heat shock sigma factors and activation of genes normally repressed by heat-induced transcription factors. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analyses to investigate heat shock response in the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, whose genome encodes only three sigma factors and a single heat-induced transcription factor. Nearly one-third of C. trachomatis genes showed statistically significant (≥1.5-fold) expression changes 30 min after shifting from 37 to 45°C. Notably, chromosomal genes encoding chaperones, energy metabolism enzymes, type III secretion proteins, as well as most plasmid-encoded genes, were differentially upregulated. In contrast, genes with functions in protein synthesis were disproportionately downregulated. These findings suggest that facilitating protein folding, increasing energy production, manipulating host activities, upregulating plasmid-encoded gene expression, and decreasing general protein synthesis helps facilitate C. trachomatis survival under stress. In addition to relieving negative regulation by the heat-inducible transcriptional repressor HrcA, heat shock upregulated the chlamydial primary sigma factor σ66 and an alternative sigma factor σ28. Interestingly, we show for the first time that heat shock downregulates the other alternative sigma factor σ54 in a bacterium. Downregulation of σ54 was accompanied by increased expression of the σ54 RNA polymerase activator AtoC, thus suggesting a unique regulatory mechanism for reestablishing normal expression of select σ54 target genes. Taken together, our findings reveal that C. trachomatis utilizes multiple novel survival strategies to cope with environmental stress and even to replicate. Future strategies that can specifically target and disrupt Chlamydia’s heat shock response will likely be of therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Wurihan Wurihan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Yi Zou
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Korri Weldon
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Joseph D Fondell
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Xiang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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The Penicillin-Binding Protein PbpP Is a Sensor of β-Lactams and Is Required for Activation of the Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factor σ P in Bacillus thuringiensis. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.00179-21. [PMID: 33758089 PMCID: PMC8092216 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00179-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Lactams are a class of antibiotics that target the synthesis of peptidoglycan, an essential component of the cell wall. β-Lactams inhibit the function of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which form the cross-links between strands of peptidoglycan. Resistance to β-lactams complicates the treatment of bacterial infections. In recent years, the spread of β-lactam resistance has increased with growing intensity. Resistance is often conferred by β-lactamases, which inactivate β-lactams, or the expression of alternative β-lactam-resistant PBPs. σP is an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor that controls β-lactam resistance in the species Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus anthracis σP is normally held inactive by the anti-σ factor RsiP. σP is activated by β-lactams that trigger the proteolytic destruction of RsiP. Here, we identify the penicillin-binding protein PbpP and demonstrate its essential role in the activation of σP Our data show that PbpP is required for σP activation and RsiP degradation. Our data suggest that PbpP acts as a β-lactam sensor since the binding of a subset of β-lactams to PbpP is required for σP activation. We find that PbpP likely directly or indirectly controls site 1 cleavage of RsiP, which results in the degradation of RsiP and, thus, σP activation. σP activation results in increased expression of β-lactamases and, thus, increased β-lactam resistance. This work is the first report of a PBP acting as a sensor for β-lactams and controlling the activation of an ECF σ factor.IMPORTANCE The bacterial cell envelope is the target for numerous antibiotics. Many antibiotics target the synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is a central metabolic pathway essential for bacterial survival. One of the most important classes of antibiotics has been β-lactams, which inhibit the transpeptidase activity of penicillin-binding proteins to decrease the cross-linking of peptidoglycan and the strength of the cell wall. While β-lactam antibiotics have historically proven to be effective, resistance to β-lactams is a growing problem. The ECF σ factor σP is required for β-lactam resistance in B. thuringiensis and close relatives, including B. anthracis Here, we provide insight into the mechanism of activation of σP by β-lactams.
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9
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Costello A, Badran AH. Synthetic Biological Circuits within an Orthogonal Central Dogma. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:59-71. [PMID: 32586633 PMCID: PMC7746572 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology strives to reliably control cellular behavior, typically in the form of user-designed interactions of biological components to produce a predetermined output. Engineered circuit components are frequently derived from natural sources and are therefore often hampered by inadvertent interactions with host machinery, most notably within the host central dogma. Reliable and predictable gene circuits require the targeted reduction or elimination of these undesirable interactions to mitigate negative consequences on host fitness and develop context-independent bioactivities. Here, we review recent advances in biological orthogonalization, namely the insulation of researcher-dictated bioactivities from host processes, with a focus on systematic developments that may culminate in the creation of an orthogonal central dogma and novel cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Costello
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ahmed H Badran
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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10
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Cyanobacterial sigma factors: Current and future applications for biotechnological advances. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 40:107517. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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Gallagher KA, Schumacher MA, Bush MJ, Bibb MJ, Chandra G, Holmes NA, Zeng W, Henderson M, Zhang H, Findlay KC, Brennan RG, Buttner MJ. c-di-GMP Arms an Anti-σ to Control Progression of Multicellular Differentiation in Streptomyces. Mol Cell 2020; 77:586-599.e6. [PMID: 31810759 PMCID: PMC7005675 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Streptomyces are our primary source of antibiotics, produced concomitantly with the transition from vegetative growth to sporulation in a complex developmental life cycle. We previously showed that the signaling molecule c-di-GMP binds BldD, a master repressor, to control initiation of development. Here we demonstrate that c-di-GMP also intervenes later in development to control differentiation of the reproductive hyphae into spores by arming a novel anti-σ (RsiG) to bind and sequester a sporulation-specific σ factor (σWhiG). We present the structure of the RsiG-(c-di-GMP)2-σWhiG complex, revealing an unusual, partially intercalated c-di-GMP dimer bound at the RsiG-σWhiG interface. RsiG binds c-di-GMP in the absence of σWhiG, employing a novel E(X)3S(X)2R(X)3Q(X)3D motif repeated on each helix of a coiled coil. Further studies demonstrate that c-di-GMP is essential for RsiG to inhibit σWhiG. These findings reveal a newly described control mechanism for σ-anti-σ complex formation and establish c-di-GMP as the central integrator of Streptomyces development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley A. Gallagher
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Maria A. Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Matthew J. Bush
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Maureen J. Bibb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Govind Chandra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Neil A. Holmes
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Wenjie Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Max Henderson
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hengshan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kim C. Findlay
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Richard G. Brennan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mark J. Buttner
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK,Corresponding author
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12
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Yoshida H, Wada A, Shimada T, Maki Y, Ishihama A. Coordinated Regulation of Rsd and RMF for Simultaneous Hibernation of Transcription Apparatus and Translation Machinery in Stationary-Phase Escherichia coli. Front Genet 2019; 10:1153. [PMID: 31867037 PMCID: PMC6904343 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription and translation in growing phase of Escherichia coli, the best-studied model prokaryote, are coupled and regulated in coordinate fashion. Accordingly, the growth rate-dependent control of the synthesis of RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme (the core component of transcription apparatus) and ribosomes (the core component of translation machinery) is tightly coordinated to keep the relative level of transcription apparatus and translation machinery constant for effective and efficient utilization of resources and energy. Upon entry into the stationary phase, transcription apparatus is modulated by replacing RNAP core-associated sigma (promoter recognition subunit) from growth-related RpoD to stationary-phase-specific RpoS. The anti-sigma factor Rsd participates for the efficient replacement of sigma, and the unused RpoD is stored silent as Rsd–RpoD complex. On the other hand, functional 70S ribosome is transformed into inactive 100S dimer by two regulators, ribosome modulation factor (RMF) and hibernation promoting factor (HPF). In this review article, we overview how we found these factors and what we know about the molecular mechanisms for silencing transcription apparatus and translation machinery by these factors. In addition, we provide our recent findings of promoter-specific transcription factor (PS-TF) screening of the transcription factors involved in regulation of the rsd and rmf genes. Results altogether indicate the coordinated regulation of Rsd and RMF for simultaneous hibernation of transcription apparatus and translation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideji Yoshida
- Department of Physics, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Akira Wada
- Yoshida Biological Laboratory, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Shimada
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.,Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Japan
| | - Yasushi Maki
- Department of Physics, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Akira Ishihama
- Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Japan
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13
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Schumacher MA, Bush MJ, Bibb MJ, Ramos-León F, Chandra G, Zeng W, Buttner MJ. The crystal structure of the RsbN-σBldN complex from Streptomyces venezuelae defines a new structural class of anti-σ factor. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:7405-7417. [PMID: 29905823 PMCID: PMC6101532 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces are filamentous bacteria with a complex developmental life cycle characterized by the formation of spore-forming aerial hyphae. Transcription of the chaplin and rodlin genes, which are essential for aerial hyphae production, is directed by the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor BldN, which is in turn controlled by an anti-σ factor, RsbN. RsbN shows no sequence similarity to known anti-σ factors and binds and inhibits BldN in an unknown manner. Here we describe the 2.23 Å structure of the RsbN–BldN complex. The structure shows that BldN harbors σ2 and σ4 domains that are individually similar to other ECF σ domains, which bind −10 and −35 promoter regions, respectively. The anti-σ RsbN consists of three helices, with α3 forming a long helix embraced between BldN σ2 and σ4 while RsbN α1–α2 dock against σ4 in a manner that would block −35 DNA binding. RsbN binding also freezes BldN in a conformation inactive for simultaneous −10 and −35 promoter interaction and RNAP binding. Strikingly, RsbN is structurally distinct from previously solved anti-σ proteins. Thus, these data characterize the molecular determinants controlling a central Streptomyces developmental switch and reveal RsbN to be the founding member of a new structural class of anti-σ factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Matthew J Bush
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Maureen J Bibb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Félix Ramos-León
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Govind Chandra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Wenjie Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mark J Buttner
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
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14
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Activation of the Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factor σ P by β-Lactams in Bacillus thuringiensis Requires the Site-2 Protease RasP. mSphere 2019; 4:4/4/e00511-19. [PMID: 31391284 PMCID: PMC6686233 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00511-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has had a dramatic and positive impact on human health. However, shortly after the introduction of a new antibiotic, bacteria often develop resistance. The bacterial cell envelope is essential for cell viability and is the target of many of the most commonly used antibiotics, including β-lactam antibiotics. Resistance to β-lactams is often dependent upon β-lactamases. In B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and some B. anthracis strains, the expression of some β-lactamases is inducible. This inducible β-lactamase expression is controlled by activation of an alternative σ factor called σP. Here, we show that β-lactam antibiotics induce σP activation by degradation of the anti-σ factor RsiP. Bacteria can utilize alternative σ factors to regulate sets of genes in response to changes in the environment. The largest and most diverse group of alternative σ factors are the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. σP is an ECF σ factor found in Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis. Previous work showed that σP is induced by ampicillin, a β-lactam antibiotic, and required for resistance to ampicillin. However, it was not known how activation of σP is controlled or what other antibiotics may activate σP. Here, we report that activation of σP is specific to a subset of β-lactams and that σP is required for resistance to these β-lactams. We demonstrate that activation of σP is controlled by the proteolytic destruction of the anti-σ factor RsiP and that degradation of RsiP requires multiple proteases. Upon exposure to β-lactams, the extracellular domain of RsiP is cleaved by an unknown protease, which we predict cleaves at site-1. Following cleavage by the unknown protease, the N terminus of RsiP is further degraded by the site-2 intramembrane protease RasP. Our data indicate that RasP cleavage of RsiP is not the rate-limiting step in σP activation. This proteolytic cascade leads to activation of σP, which induces resistance to β-lactams likely via increased expression of β-lactamases. IMPORTANCE The discovery of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has had a dramatic and positive impact on human health. However, shortly after the introduction of a new antibiotic, bacteria often develop resistance. The bacterial cell envelope is essential for cell viability and is the target of many of the most commonly used antibiotics, including β-lactam antibiotics. Resistance to β-lactams is often dependent upon β-lactamases. In B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and some B. anthracis strains, the expression of some β-lactamases is inducible. This inducible β-lactamase expression is controlled by activation of an alternative σ factor called σP. Here, we show that β-lactam antibiotics induce σP activation by degradation of the anti-σ factor RsiP.
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15
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Park JH, Lee JH, Roe JH. SigR, a hub of multilayered regulation of redox and antibiotic stress responses. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:420-431. [PMID: 31269533 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Signal-specific activation of alternative sigma factors redirects RNA polymerase to induce transcription of distinct sets of genes conferring protection against the damage the signal and the related stresses incur. In Streptomyces coelicolor, σR (SigR), a member of ECF12 subfamily of Group IV sigma factors, responds to thiol-perturbing signals such as oxidants and electrophiles, as well as to translation-blocking antibiotics. Oxidants and electrophiles interact with and inactivate the zinc-containing anti-sigma factor, RsrA, via disulfide bond formation or alkylation of reactive cysteines, subsequently releasing σR for target gene induction. Translation-blocking antibiotics induce the synthesis of σR , via the WhiB-like transcription factor, WblC/WhiB7. Signal transduction via RsrA produces a dramatic transient response that involves positive feedback to produce more SigR as an unstable isoform σ R ' and negative feedbacks to degrade σ R ' , and reduce oxidized RsrA that subsequently sequester σR and σ R ' . Antibiotic stress brings about a prolonged response by increasing stable σR levels. The third negative feedback, which occurs via IF3, lowers the translation efficiency of the sigRp1 transcript that utilizes a non-canonical start codon. σR is a global regulator that directly activates > 100 transcription units in S. coelicolor, including genes for thiol homeostasis, protein quality control, sulfur metabolism, ribosome modulation and DNA repair. Close homologues in Actinobacteria, such as σH in Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria, show high conservation of the signal transduction pathways and target genes, thus reflecting the robustness of this type of regulation in response to redox and antibiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Hong Park
- School of Biological Sciences, and Institute of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Hyung Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, and Institute of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Hye Roe
- School of Biological Sciences, and Institute of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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16
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Assessing the role of Rv1222 (RseA) as an anti-sigma factor of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis extracytoplasmic sigma factor SigE. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4513. [PMID: 30872756 PMCID: PMC6418294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
σE is one of the 13 sigma factors encoded by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis chromosome, and its involvement in stress response and virulence has been extensively characterized. Several sigma factors are post-translationally regulated by proteins named anti-sigma factors, which prevent their binding to RNA polymerase. Rv1222 (RseA), whose gene lays immediately downstream sigE, has been proposed in the past as the σE-specific anti sigma factor. However, its role as anti-sigma factor was recently challenged and a new mechanism of action was hypothesized predicting RseA binding to RNA polymerase and DNA to slow down RNA transcription in a not specific way. In this manuscript, using specific M. tuberculosis mutants, we showed that by changing the levels of RseA expression, M. tuberculosis growth rate does not change (as hypothesized in case of non-specific decrease of RNA transcription) and has an impact only on the transcription level of genes whose transcriptional control is under σE, supporting a direct role of RseA as a specific anti-σE factor.
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17
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Bouillet S, Arabet D, Jourlin-Castelli C, Méjean V, Iobbi-Nivol C. Regulation of σ factors by conserved partner switches controlled by divergent signalling systems. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018; 10:127-139. [PMID: 29393573 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Partner-Switching Systems (PSS) are widespread regulatory systems, each comprising a kinase-anti-σ, a phosphorylatable anti-σ antagonist and a phosphatase module. The anti-σ domain quickly sequesters or delivers the target σ factor according to the phosphorylation state of the anti-σ antagonist induced by environmental signals. The PSS components are proteins alone or merged to other domains probably to adapt to the input signals. PSS are involved in major cellular processes including stress response, sporulation, biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Surprisingly, the target σ factors are often unknown and the sensing modules acting upstream from the PSS diverge according to the bacterial species. Indeed, they belong to either two-component systems or complex pathways as the stressosome or Chemosensory Systems (CS). Based on a phylogenetic analysis, we propose that the sensing module in Gram-negative bacteria is often a CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bouillet
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP UMR7281, 13402 Marseille, France
| | - Dallel Arabet
- Université des Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria
| | | | - Vincent Méjean
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP UMR7281, 13402 Marseille, France
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18
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Dou Y, Rutanhira H, Chen X, Mishra A, Wang C, Fletcher HM. Role of extracytoplasmic function sigma factor PG1660 (RpoE) in the oxidative stress resistance regulatory network of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Mol Oral Microbiol 2017; 33:89-104. [PMID: 29059500 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In Porphyromonas gingivalis, the protein PG1660, composed of 174 amino acids, is annotated as an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor (RpoE homologue-σ24). Because PG1660 can modulate several virulence factors and responds to environmental signals in P. gingivalis, its genetic properties were evaluated. PG1660 is co-transcribed with its downstream gene PG1659, and the transcription start site was identified as adenine residue 54-nucleotides upstream of the ATG translation start codon. In addition to binding its own promoter, using the purified rPG1660 and RNAP core enzyme from Escherichia coli with the PG1660 promoter DNA as template, the function of PG1660 as a sigma factor was demonstrated in an in vitro transcription assay. Transcriptome analyses of a P. gingivalis PG1660-defective isogenic mutant revealed that under oxidative stress conditions 176 genes including genes involved in secondary metabolism were downregulated more than two-fold compared with the parental strain. The rPG1660 protein also showed the ability to bind to the promoters of the highly downregulated genes in the PG1660-deficient mutant. As the ECF sigma factor PG0162 has a 29% identity with PG1660 and can modulate its expression, the cross-talk between their regulatory networks was explored. The expression profile of the PG0162PG1660-deficient mutant (P. gingivalis FLL356) revealed that the type IX secretion system genes and several virulence genes were downregulated under hydrogen peroxide stress conditions. Taken together, we have confirmed that PG1660 can function as a sigma factor, and plays an important regulatory role in the oxidative stress and virulence regulatory network of P. gingivalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Dou
- Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - H Rutanhira
- Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - X Chen
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - A Mishra
- Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - C Wang
- Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.,Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - H M Fletcher
- Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.,Institute of Oral Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Edgar RJ, Hampton GE, Garcia GPC, Maher MJ, Perugini MA, Ackerley DF, Lamont IL. Integrated activities of two alternative sigma factors coordinate iron acquisition and uptake by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:891-904. [PMID: 28971540 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alternative sigma (σ) factors govern expression of bacterial genes in response to diverse environmental signals. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa σPvdS directs expression of genes for production of a siderophore, pyoverdine, as well as a toxin and a protease. σFpvI directs expression of a receptor for ferripyoverdine import. Expression of the genes encoding σPvdS and σFpvI is iron-regulated and an antisigma protein, FpvR20 , post-translationally controls the activities of the sigma factors in response to the amount of ferripyoverdine present. Here we show that iron represses synthesis of σPvdS to a far greater extent than σFpvI . In contrast ferripyoverdine exerts similar effects on the activities of both sigma factors. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro assays we show that σFpvI and σPvdS have comparable affinities for, and are equally inhibited by, FpvR20 . Importantly, in the absence of ferripyoverdine the amount of FpvR20 per cell is lower than the amount of σFpvI and σPvdS , allowing basal expression of target genes that is required to activate the signalling pathway when ferripyoverdine is present. This complex interplay of transcriptional and post-translational regulation enables a co-ordinated response to ferripyoverdine but distinct responses to iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Edgar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - G Patricia Casas Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Megan J Maher
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew A Perugini
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David F Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Iain L Lamont
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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20
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Oshone R, Ngom M, Chu F, Mansour S, Sy MO, Champion A, Tisa LS. Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches towards understanding the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in Frankia strains isolated from Casuarina trees. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:633. [PMID: 28821232 PMCID: PMC5563000 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4056-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Soil salinization is a worldwide problem that is intensifying because of the effects of climate change. An effective method for the reclamation of salt-affected soils involves initiating plant succession using fast growing, nitrogen fixing actinorhizal trees such as the Casuarina. The salt tolerance of Casuarina is enhanced by the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis that they form with the actinobacterium Frankia. Identification and molecular characterization of salt-tolerant Casuarina species and associated Frankia is imperative for the successful utilization of Casuarina trees in saline soil reclamation efforts. In this study, salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive Casuarina associated Frankia strains were identified and comparative genomics, transcriptome profiling, and proteomics were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of salt and osmotic stress tolerance. Results Salt-tolerant Frankia strains (CcI6 and Allo2) that could withstand up to 1000 mM NaCl and a salt-sensitive Frankia strain (CcI3) which could withstand only up to 475 mM NaCl were identified. The remaining isolates had intermediate levels of salt tolerance with MIC values ranging from 650 mM to 750 mM. Comparative genomic analysis showed that all of the Frankia isolates from Casuarina belonged to the same species (Frankia casuarinae). Pangenome analysis revealed a high abundance of singletons among all Casuarina isolates. The two salt-tolerant strains contained 153 shared single copy genes (most of which code for hypothetical proteins) that were not found in the salt-sensitive(CcI3) and moderately salt-tolerant (CeD) strains. RNA-seq analysis of one of the two salt-tolerant strains (Frankia sp. strain CcI6) revealed hundreds of genes differentially expressed under salt and/or osmotic stress. Among the 153 genes, 7 and 7 were responsive to salt and osmotic stress, respectively. Proteomic profiling confirmed the transcriptome results and identified 19 and 8 salt and/or osmotic stress-responsive proteins in the salt-tolerant (CcI6) and the salt-sensitive (CcI3) strains, respectively. Conclusion Genetic differences between salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive Frankia strains isolated from Casuarina were identified. Transcriptome and proteome profiling of a salt-tolerant strain was used to determine molecular differences correlated with differential salt-tolerance and several candidate genes were identified. Mechanisms involving transcriptional and translational regulation, cell envelop remodeling, and previously uncharacterized proteins appear to be important for salt tolerance. Physiological and mutational analyses will further shed light on the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in Casuarina associated Frankia isolates. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-4056-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rediet Oshone
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 46 College Rd, Durham, NH, 03824-2617, USA
| | - Mariama Ngom
- Laboratoire Mixte International Adaptation des Plantes et microorganismes associés aux Stress Environnementaux, Centre de Recherche de Bel-Air, Dakar, Sénégal.,Laboratoire Campus de Biotechnologies Végétales, Département de Végétale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal.,Laboratoire Commun de Microbiologie Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles/Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Centre de Recherche de Bel-Air, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Feixia Chu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 46 College Rd, Durham, NH, 03824-2617, USA
| | - Samira Mansour
- Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismalia, Egypt
| | - Mame Ourèye Sy
- Laboratoire Mixte International Adaptation des Plantes et microorganismes associés aux Stress Environnementaux, Centre de Recherche de Bel-Air, Dakar, Sénégal.,Laboratoire Campus de Biotechnologies Végétales, Département de Végétale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Antony Champion
- Laboratoire Mixte International Adaptation des Plantes et microorganismes associés aux Stress Environnementaux, Centre de Recherche de Bel-Air, Dakar, Sénégal.,UMR DIADE, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Louis S Tisa
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 46 College Rd, Durham, NH, 03824-2617, USA.
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21
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Davis MC, Kesthely CA, Franklin EA, MacLellan SR. The essential activities of the bacterial sigma factor. Can J Microbiol 2016; 63:89-99. [PMID: 28117604 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2016-0576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Transcription is the first and most heavily regulated step in gene expression. Sigma (σ) factors are general transcription factors that reversibly bind RNA polymerase (RNAP) and mediate transcription of all genes in bacteria. σ Factors play 3 major roles in the RNA synthesis initiation process: they (i) target RNAP holoenzyme to specific promoters, (ii) melt a region of double-stranded promoter DNA and stabilize it as a single-stranded open complex, and (iii) interact with other DNA-binding transcription factors to contribute complexity to gene expression regulation schemes. Recent structural studies have demonstrated that when σ factors bind promoter DNA, they capture 1 or more nucleotides that are flipped out of the helical DNA stack and this stabilizes the promoter open-complex intermediate that is required for the initiation of RNA synthesis. This review describes the structure and function of the σ70 family of σ proteins and the essential roles they play in the transcription process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Davis
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Christopher A Kesthely
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Emily A Franklin
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Shawn R MacLellan
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
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22
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Ünsaldı E, Kurt-Kızıldoğan A, Voigt B, Becher D, Özcengiz G. Proteome-wide alterations in an industrial clavulanic acid producing strain of Streptomyces clavuligerus. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2016; 2:39-48. [PMID: 29062960 PMCID: PMC5625738 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The usefulness of genetic/metabolic engineering for further improvement of industrial strains is subject of discussion because of the general lack of knowledge on genetic alterations introduced by iterative cycles of random mutagenesis in such strains. An industrial clavulanic acid (CA)-overproducer Streptomyces clavuligerus DEPA was assessed to understand proteome-wide changes that have occurred in a local industrial CA overproducer developed through succesive mutagenesis programs. The proteins that could be identified corresponded to 33 distinct ORFs for underrepresented ones and 60 ORFs for overrepresented ones. Three CA biosynthetic enzymes were overrepresented in S. clavuligerus DEPA; carboxyethylarginine synthase (Ceas2), clavaldehyde dehydrogenase (Car) and carboxyethyl-arginine beta-lactam-synthase (Bls2) whereas the enzymes of two other secondary metabolites were underrepresented along with two important global regulators [two-component system (TCS) response regulator (SCLAV_2102) and TetR-family transcriptional regulator (SCLAV_3146)] that might be related with CA production and/or differentiation. γ-butyrolactone biosynthetic protein AvaA2 was 2.6 fold underrepresented in S. clavuligerus DEPA. The levels of two glycolytic enzymes, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate-dependent phosphoglycerate mutase and phosophoglycerate kinase were found decreased while those of dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) and isocitrate dehydrogenase, with two isoforms were found as significantly increased. A decrease of amino acid metabolism, methionine biosynthesis in particular, as well as S-adenosylmethionine synthetase appeared as one of the prominent mechanisms of success of S. clavuligerus DEPA strain as a prolific producer of CA. The levels of two enzymes of shikimate pathway that leads to the production of aromatic amino acids and aromatic secondary metabolites were also underrepresented. Some of the overrepresented stress proteins in S. clavuligerus DEPA included polynucleotide phosphorylase/polyadenylase (PNPase), ATP-dependent DNA helicase, two isoforms of an anti-sigma factor and thioredoxin reductase. Downregulation of important proteins of cell wall synthesis and division was recorded and a protein with β-lactamase domain (SCLAV_p1007) appeared in 12 isoforms, 5 of which were drastically overrepresented in DEPA strain. These results described herein provide useful information for rational engineering to improve CA production in Streptomyces clavuligerus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eser Ünsaldı
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aslıhan Kurt-Kızıldoğan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.,Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Birgit Voigt
- Institute of Microbiology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University of Greifswald, D-17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Institute of Microbiology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University of Greifswald, D-17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gülay Özcengiz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
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23
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The anti-sigma factor RsrA responds to oxidative stress by reburying its hydrophobic core. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12194. [PMID: 27432510 PMCID: PMC4960319 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Redox-regulated effector systems that counteract oxidative stress are essential for all forms of life. Here we uncover a new paradigm for sensing oxidative stress centred on the hydrophobic core of a sensor protein. RsrA is an archetypal zinc-binding anti-sigma factor that responds to disulfide stress in the cytoplasm of Actinobacteria. We show that RsrA utilizes its hydrophobic core to bind the sigma factor σR preventing its association with RNA polymerase, and that zinc plays a central role in maintaining this high-affinity complex. Oxidation of RsrA is limited by the rate of zinc release, which weakens the RsrA–σR complex by accelerating its dissociation. The subsequent trigger disulfide, formed between specific combinations of RsrA's three zinc-binding cysteines, precipitates structural collapse to a compact state where all σR-binding residues are sequestered back into its hydrophobic core, releasing σR to activate transcription of anti-oxidant genes. Counteracting oxidative stress is essential in all organisms. Here, the authors outline a mechanism used by actinomycete bacteria in which oxidation of zinc-binding RsrA blocks its interaction with σR by sequestering hydrophobic residues used to bind σR within its own core.
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Chauhan R, Ravi J, Datta P, Chen T, Schnappinger D, Bassler KE, Balázsi G, Gennaro ML. Reconstruction and topological characterization of the sigma factor regulatory network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11062. [PMID: 27029515 PMCID: PMC4821874 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Accessory sigma factors, which reprogram RNA polymerase to transcribe specific gene sets, activate bacterial adaptive responses to noxious environments. Here we reconstruct the complete sigma factor regulatory network of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis by an integrated approach. The approach combines identification of direct regulatory interactions between M. tuberculosis sigma factors in an E. coli model system, validation of selected links in M. tuberculosis, and extensive literature review. The resulting network comprises 41 direct interactions among all 13 sigma factors. Analysis of network topology reveals (i) a three-tiered hierarchy initiating at master regulators, (ii) high connectivity and (iii) distinct communities containing multiple sigma factors. These topological features are likely associated with multi-layer signal processing and specialized stress responses involving multiple sigma factors. Moreover, the identification of overrepresented network motifs, such as autoregulation and coregulation of sigma and anti-sigma factor pairs, provides structural information that is relevant for studies of network dynamics. Sigma factors are regulatory proteins that reprogram the bacterial RNA polymerase in response to stress conditions to transcribe certain genes, including those for other sigma factors. Here, Chauhan et al. describe the complete sigma factor regulatory network of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinki Chauhan
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Janani Ravi
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Pratik Datta
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Tianlong Chen
- Department of Physics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5005, USA.,Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5002, USA
| | - Dirk Schnappinger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Kevin E Bassler
- Department of Physics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5005, USA.,Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5002, USA.,Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, D-01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Laufer Center for Physical &Quantitative Biology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
| | - Maria Laura Gennaro
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
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Sharp JD, Singh AK, Park ST, Lyubetskaya A, Peterson MW, Gomes ALC, Potluri LP, Raman S, Galagan JE, Husson RN. Comprehensive Definition of the SigH Regulon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Reveals Transcriptional Control of Diverse Stress Responses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152145. [PMID: 27003599 PMCID: PMC4803200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of SigH, one of 12 Mycobacterium tuberculosis alternative sigma factors, is induced by heat, oxidative and nitric oxide stresses. SigH activation has been shown to increase expression of several genes, including genes involved in maintaining redox equilibrium and in protein degradation. However, few of these are known to be directly regulated by SigH. The goal of this project is to comprehensively define the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes and operons that are directly controlled by SigH in order to gain insight into the role of SigH in regulating M. tuberculosis physiology. We used ChIP-Seq to identify in vivo SigH binding sites throughout the M. tuberculosis genome, followed by quantification of SigH-dependent expression of genes linked to these sites and identification of SigH-regulated promoters. We identified 69 SigH binding sites, which are located both in intergenic regions and within annotated coding sequences in the annotated M. tuberculosis genome. 41 binding sites were linked to genes that showed greater expression following heat stress in a SigH-dependent manner. We identified several genes not previously known to be regulated by SigH, including genes involved in DNA repair, cysteine biosynthesis, translation, and genes of unknown function. Experimental and computational analysis of SigH-regulated promoter sequences within these binding sites identified strong consensus -35 and -10 promoter sequences, but with tolerance for non-consensus bases at specific positions. This comprehensive identification and validation of SigH-regulated genes demonstrates an extended SigH regulon that controls an unexpectedly broad range of stress response functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D. Sharp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States of America
| | - Atul K. Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States of America
| | - Sang Tae Park
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States of America
| | - Anna Lyubetskaya
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
| | - Matthew W. Peterson
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
| | - Antonio L. C. Gomes
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
| | - Lakshmi-Prasad Potluri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States of America
| | - Sahadevan Raman
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States of America
| | - James E. Galagan
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States of America
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America
| | - Robert N. Husson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States of America
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Sigma Factors: Key Molecules in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Physiology and Virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2015; 2:MGM2-0007-2013. [PMID: 26082107 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.mgm2-0007-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid adaptation to changing environments is one of the keys to the success of microorganisms. Since infection is a dynamic process, it is possible to predict that Mycobacterium tuberculosis adaptation involves continuous modulation of its global transcriptional profile in response to the changing environment found in the human body. In the last 18 years several studies have stressed the role of sigma (σ) factors in this process. These are small interchangeable subunits of the RNA polymerase holoenzyme that are required for transcriptional initiation and that determine promoter specificity. The M. tuberculosis genome encodes 13 of these proteins, one of which--the principal σ factor σA--is essential. Of the other 12 σ factors, at least 6 are required for virulence. In this article we review our current knowledge of mycobacterial σ factors, their regulons, the complex mechanisms determining their regulation, and their roles in M. tuberculosis physiology and virulence.
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σ Factor and Anti-σ Factor That Control Swarming Motility and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2015. [PMID: 26620262 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00784-15.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of causing a variety of acute and chronic infections. Here, we provide evidence that sbrR (PA2895), a gene previously identified as required during chronic P. aeruginosa respiratory infection, encodes an anti-σ factor that inhibits the activity of its cognate extracytoplasmic-function σ factor, SbrI (PA2896). Bacterial two-hybrid analysis identified an N-terminal region of SbrR that interacts directly with SbrI and that was sufficient for inhibition of SbrI-dependent gene expression. We show that SbrI associates with RNA polymerase in vivo and identify the SbrIR regulon. In cells lacking SbrR, the SbrI-dependent expression of muiA was found to inhibit swarming motility and promote biofilm formation. Our findings reveal SbrR and SbrI as a novel set of regulators of swarming motility and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa that mediate their effects through muiA, a gene not previously known to influence surface-associated behaviors in this organism. IMPORTANCE This study characterizes a σ factor/anti-σ factor system that reciprocally regulates the surface-associated behaviors of swarming motility and biofilm formation in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We present evidence that SbrR is an anti-σ factor specific for its cognate σ factor, SbrI, and identify the SbrIR regulon in P. aeruginosa. We find that cells lacking SbrR are severely defective in swarming motility and exhibit enhanced biofilm formation. Moreover, we identify muiA (PA1494) as the SbrI-dependent gene responsible for mediating these effects. SbrIR have been implicated in virulence and in responding to antimicrobial and cell envelope stress. SbrIR may therefore represent a stress response system that influences the surface behaviors of P. aeruginosa during infection.
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σ Factor and Anti-σ Factor That Control Swarming Motility and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2015; 198:755-65. [PMID: 26620262 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00784-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of causing a variety of acute and chronic infections. Here, we provide evidence that sbrR (PA2895), a gene previously identified as required during chronic P. aeruginosa respiratory infection, encodes an anti-σ factor that inhibits the activity of its cognate extracytoplasmic-function σ factor, SbrI (PA2896). Bacterial two-hybrid analysis identified an N-terminal region of SbrR that interacts directly with SbrI and that was sufficient for inhibition of SbrI-dependent gene expression. We show that SbrI associates with RNA polymerase in vivo and identify the SbrIR regulon. In cells lacking SbrR, the SbrI-dependent expression of muiA was found to inhibit swarming motility and promote biofilm formation. Our findings reveal SbrR and SbrI as a novel set of regulators of swarming motility and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa that mediate their effects through muiA, a gene not previously known to influence surface-associated behaviors in this organism. IMPORTANCE This study characterizes a σ factor/anti-σ factor system that reciprocally regulates the surface-associated behaviors of swarming motility and biofilm formation in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We present evidence that SbrR is an anti-σ factor specific for its cognate σ factor, SbrI, and identify the SbrIR regulon in P. aeruginosa. We find that cells lacking SbrR are severely defective in swarming motility and exhibit enhanced biofilm formation. Moreover, we identify muiA (PA1494) as the SbrI-dependent gene responsible for mediating these effects. SbrIR have been implicated in virulence and in responding to antimicrobial and cell envelope stress. SbrIR may therefore represent a stress response system that influences the surface behaviors of P. aeruginosa during infection.
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Abstract
The Alphaproteobacteria uniquely integrate features of two-component signal transduction and alternative σ factor regulation to control transcription of genes that ensure growth and survival across a range of stress conditions. Research over the past decade has led to the discovery of the key molecular players of this general stress response (GSR) system, including the sigma factor σ(EcfG), its anti-σ factor NepR, and the anti-anti-σ factor PhyR. The central molecular event of GSR activation entails aspartyl phosphorylation of PhyR, which promotes its binding to NepR and thereby releases σ(EcfG) to associate with RNAP and direct transcription. Recent studies are providing a new understanding of complex, multilayered sensory networks that activate and repress this central protein partner switch. This review synthesizes our structural and functional understanding of the core GSR regulatory proteins and highlights emerging data that are defining the systems that regulate GSR transcription in a variety of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aretha Fiebig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
| | - Julien Herrou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
| | - Jonathan Willett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
| | - Sean Crosson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637;
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Rudra P, Prajapati RK, Banerjee R, Sengupta S, Mukhopadhyay J. Novel mechanism of gene regulation: the protein Rv1222 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits transcription by anchoring the RNA polymerase onto DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:5855-67. [PMID: 25999340 PMCID: PMC4499140 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a novel mechanism of gene regulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis where the protein Rv1222 inhibits transcription by anchoring RNA polymerase (RNAP) onto DNA. In contrast to our existing knowledge that transcriptional repressors function either by binding to DNA at specific sequences or by binding to RNAP, we show that Rv1222-mediated transcription inhibition requires simultaneous binding of the protein to both RNAP and DNA. We demonstrate that the positively charged C-terminus tail of Rv1222 is responsible for anchoring RNAP on DNA, hence the protein slows down the movement of RNAP along the DNA during transcription elongation. The interaction between Rv1222 and DNA is electrostatic, thus the protein could inhibit transcription from any gene. As Rv1222 slows down the RNA synthesis, upon expression of the protein in Mycobacterium smegmatis or Escherichia coli, the growth rate of the bacteria is severely impaired. The protein does not possess any significant affinity for DNA polymerase, thus, is unable to inhibit DNA synthesis. The proposed mechanism by which Rv1222 inhibits transcription reveals a new repertoire of prokaryotic gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulami Rudra
- Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, 93/1 APC Road, Kolkata-700009, India
| | | | - Rajdeep Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, 93/1 APC Road, Kolkata-700009, India
| | - Shreya Sengupta
- Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, 93/1 APC Road, Kolkata-700009, India
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Dual-specificity anti-sigma factor reinforces control of cell-type specific gene expression in Bacillus subtilis. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005104. [PMID: 25835496 PMCID: PMC4383634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression during spore development in Bacillus subtilis is controlled by cell type-specific RNA polymerase sigma factors. σFand σE control early stages of development in the forespore and the mother cell, respectively. When, at an intermediate stage in development, the mother cell engulfs the forespore, σF is replaced by σG and σE is replaced by σK. The anti-sigma factor CsfB is produced under the control of σF and binds to and inhibits the auto-regulatory σG, but not σF. A position in region 2.1, occupied by an asparagine in σG and by a glutamate in οF, is sufficient for CsfB discrimination of the two sigmas, and allows it to delay the early to late switch in forespore gene expression. We now show that following engulfment completion, csfB is switched on in the mother cell under the control of σK and that CsfB binds to and inhibits σE but not σK, possibly to facilitate the switch from early to late gene expression. We show that a position in region 2.3 occupied by a conserved asparagine in σE and by a conserved glutamate in σK suffices for discrimination by CsfB. We also show that CsfB prevents activation of σG in the mother cell and the premature σG-dependent activation of σK. Thus, CsfB establishes negative feedback loops that curtail the activity of σE and prevent the ectopic activation of σG in the mother cell. The capacity of CsfB to directly block σE activity may also explain how CsfB plays a role as one of the several mechanisms that prevent σE activation in the forespore. Thus the capacity of CsfB to differentiate between the highly similar σF/σG and σE/σK pairs allows it to rinforce the cell-type specificity of these sigma factors and the transition from early to late development in B. subtilis, and possibly in all sporeformers that encode a CsfB orthologue. Precise temporal and cell-type specific regulation of gene expression is required for development of differentiated cells even in simple organisms. Endospore development by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis involves only two types of differentiated cells, a forespore that develops into the endospore, and a mother cell that nurtures the developing endospore. During development temporal and cell-type specific regulation of gene expression is controlled by transcription factors called sigma factors (σ). An anti-sigma factor known as CsfB binds to σG to prevent its premature activity in the forespore. We found that CsfB is also expressed in the mother cell where it blocks ectopic activity of σG, and blocks the activity σE to allow σK to take over control of gene expression during the final stages of development. Our finding that CsfB directly blocks σE activity also explains how CsfB plays a role in preventing ectopic activity of σE in the forespore. Remarkably, each of the major roles of CsfB, (i.e., control of ectopic σG and σE activities, and the temporal limitation of σE activity) is also accomplished by redundant regulatory processes. This redundancy reinforces control of key regulatory steps to insure reliability and stability of the developmental process.
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32
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Campagne S, Allain FHT, Vorholt JA. Extra Cytoplasmic Function sigma factors, recent structural insights into promoter recognition and regulation. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2015; 30:71-78. [PMID: 25678040 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial transcription initiation is controlled by sigma factors, the RNA polymerase (RNAP) subunits responsive for promoter specificity. While the primary sigma factor ensures the bulk of transcription during growth, a major strategy used by bacteria to regulate gene expression consists of modifying the RNAP promoter specificity by means of alternative sigma factors. Among these factors, Extra Cytoplasmic Function sigma factors (σ(ECF)) constitute the most abundant group and are generally kept inactive by specific anti-sigma factors that are directly or indirectly sensitive to environmental stimuli. When activated by anti-sigma factor release, σ(ECF) turn on the transcription of dedicated regulons, which trigger adaptive responses for the survival of the cell. Recent structural studies have deciphered the molecular basis for σ(ECF) promoter recognition and original regulatory mechanisms.
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Souza BM, Castro TLDP, Carvalho RDDO, Seyffert N, Silva A, Miyoshi A, Azevedo V. σ(ECF) factors of gram-positive bacteria: a focus on Bacillus subtilis and the CMNR group. Virulence 2014; 5:587-600. [PMID: 24921931 PMCID: PMC4105308 DOI: 10.4161/viru.29514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of bacteria to different environmental conditions depends on the activation of adaptive mechanisms, which are intricately driven through gene regulation. Because transcriptional initiation is considered to be the major step in the control of bacterial genes, we discuss the characteristics and roles of the sigma factors, addressing (1) their structural, functional and phylogenetic classification; (2) how their activity is regulated; and (3) the promoters recognized by these factors. Finally, we focus on a specific group of alternative sigma factors, the so-called σ(ECF) factors, in Bacillus subtilis and some of the main species that comprise the CMNR group, providing information on the roles they play in the microorganisms' physiology and indicating some of the genes whose transcription they regulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Mendes Souza
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Thiago Luiz de Paula Castro
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Dias de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Nubia Seyffert
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Artur Silva
- Laboratório de Polimorfismo de DNA; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Genética; Universidade Federal do Pará; Belém, PA Brazil
| | - Anderson Miyoshi
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
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Chakraborty A, Mukherjee S, Chattopadhyay R, Roy S, Chakrabarti S. Conformational Adaptation in the E. coli Sigma 32 Protein in Response to Heat Shock. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:4793-802. [DOI: 10.1021/jp501272n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Chakraborty
- Division of Structural Biology
and Bioinformatics, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India
| | - Srijata Mukherjee
- Division of Structural Biology
and Bioinformatics, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India
| | - Ruchira Chattopadhyay
- Division of Structural Biology
and Bioinformatics, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Division of Structural Biology
and Bioinformatics, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India
| | - Saikat Chakrabarti
- Division of Structural Biology
and Bioinformatics, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700 032, India
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35
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Campagne S, Marsh ME, Capitani G, Vorholt JA, Allain FHT. Structural basis for -10 promoter element melting by environmentally induced sigma factors. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2014; 21:269-76. [PMID: 24531660 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial transcription is controlled by sigma factors, the RNA polymerase subunits that act as initiation factors. Although a single housekeeping sigma factor enables transcription from thousands of promoters, environmentally induced sigma factors redirect gene expression toward small regulons to carry out focused responses. Using structural and functional analyses, we determined the molecular basis of -10 promoter element recognition by Escherichia coli σ(E), which revealed an unprecedented way to achieve promoter melting. Group IV sigma factors induced strand separation at the -10 element by flipping out a single nucleotide from the nontemplate-strand DNA base stack. Unambiguous selection of this critical base was driven by a dynamic protein loop, which can be substituted to modify specificity of promoter recognition. This mechanism of promoter melting explains the increased promoter-selection stringency of environmentally induced sigma factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Campagne
- 1] Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. [2] Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - May E Marsh
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia A Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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36
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Gupta N, Gupta A, Kumar S, Mishra R, Singh C, Tripathi AK. Cross-talk between cognate and noncognate RpoE sigma factors and Zn(2+)-binding anti-sigma factors regulates photooxidative stress response in Azospirillum brasilense. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:42-59. [PMID: 23725220 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Azospirillum brasilense harbors two redox-sensitive Zinc-binding anti-sigma (ZAS) factors (ChrR1 and ChrR2), which negatively regulate the activity of their cognate extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors (RpoE1 and RpoE2) by occluding their binding to the core enzyme. Both pairs of RpoE-ChrR control responses to photooxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two RpoE-ChrR pairs cross-talk while responding to the stress. RESULTS In silico analysis showed a high sequence similarity between ChrR1 and ChrR2 proteins, but differences in redox sensitivity. Using in silico and in vitro methods of protein-protein interaction, we have shown that both ChrR1 and ChrR2 proteins physically bind to their noncognate RpoE proteins. Restoration of the phenotypes of chrR1::Tn5 and chrR2::Km mutants related to carotenoid biosynthesis and photooxidative stress tolerance by expressing chrR1 or chrR2 provided in vivo evidence for the cross-talk. In addition, up- or down-regulation of several identical proteins by expressing chrR1 or chrR2 in the chrR1::Tn5 mutant provided another in vivo evidence for the cross-talk. INNOVATION Although multiple redox-sensitive ZAS anti-σ factors occur in some Gram-positive bacteria, no cross-talk is reported among them. We report here, for the first time, that the two ZAS anti-σ factors of A. brasilense also interact with their noncognate σ factors and affect gene expression. CONCLUSION The two redox-sensitive ZAS anti-σ factors in A. brasilense may interact with their cognate as well as noncognate ECF σ factors to play an important role in redox homeostasis by facilitating recovery from the oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Gupta
- Faculty of Science, School of Biotechnology, Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi, India
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37
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Hatzios SK, Baer CE, Rustad TR, Siegrist MS, Pang JM, Ortega C, Alber T, Grundner C, Sherman DR, Bertozzi CR. Osmosensory signaling in Mycobacterium tuberculosis mediated by a eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr protein kinase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E5069-77. [PMID: 24309377 PMCID: PMC3876250 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1321205110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are able to adapt to dramatically different microenvironments, but in many organisms, the signaling pathways, transcriptional programs, and downstream physiological changes involved in adaptation are not well-understood. Here, we discovered that osmotic stress stimulates a signaling network in Mycobacterium tuberculosis regulated by the eukaryotic-like receptor Ser/Thr protein kinase PknD. Expression of the PknD substrate Rv0516c was highly induced by osmotic stress. Furthermore, Rv0516c disruption modified peptidoglycan thickness, enhanced antibiotic resistance, and activated genes in the regulon of the alternative σ-factor SigF. Phosphorylation of Rv0516c regulated the abundance of EspA, a virulence-associated substrate of the type VII ESX-1 secretion system. These findings identify an osmosensory pathway orchestrated by PknD, Rv0516c, and SigF that enables adaptation to osmotic stress through cell wall remodeling and virulence factor production. Given the widespread occurrence of eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr protein kinases in bacteria, these proteins may play a broad role in bacterial osmosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina E. Baer
- Molecular and Cell Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), and
| | - Tige R. Rustad
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109; and
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | | | - Jennifer M. Pang
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109; and
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Corrie Ortega
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109; and
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Tom Alber
- Molecular and Cell Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), and
| | - Christoph Grundner
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109; and
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - David R. Sherman
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109; and
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Carolyn R. Bertozzi
- Departments of Chemistry and
- Molecular and Cell Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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38
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Bowman J, Ghosh P. A complex regulatory network controlling intrinsic multidrug resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Mol Microbiol 2013; 91:121-34. [PMID: 24176019 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacteria are intrinsically resistant to a variety of stresses including many antibiotics. Although a number of pathways have been described to account for the observed resistances, the mechanisms that control the expression of genes required in these processes remain poorly defined. Here we report the role of a predicted anti-sigma factor, MSMEG_6129 and a predicted eukaryotic like serine/threonine protein kinase, MSMEG_5437, in the intrinsic resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to a variety of stresses including the genotoxic agent mitomycin C, hydrogen peroxide and at least four different antibiotics - isoniazid, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline. We show that MSMEG_5437 influences the phosphorylation state of MSMEG_6129. Further, MSMEG_6129 controls the expression of a plethora of genes including efflux pumps, ABC transporters, catalases and transcription factors, either directly or via regulators like WhiB7, which account for the observed multi-drug resistance phenotypes. MSMEG_6129 in turn phosphorylates a contiguously located putative anti-anti-sigma factor, MSMEG_6127. We therefore propose that MSMEG_5437, MSMEG_6129 and MSMEG_6127 are components of a master regulatory network, upstream of whiB7, that controls the activity of one or more of the 28 sigma factors in M. smegmatis. Together, this network controls the expression of a regulon required for resistance to several unrelated antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Bowman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
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39
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Rhodius VA, Segall-Shapiro TH, Sharon BD, Ghodasara A, Orlova E, Tabakh H, Burkhardt DH, Clancy K, Peterson TC, Gross CA, Voigt CA. Design of orthogonal genetic switches based on a crosstalk map of σs, anti-σs, and promoters. Mol Syst Biol 2013; 9:702. [PMID: 24169405 PMCID: PMC3817407 DOI: 10.1038/msb.2013.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells react to their environment through gene regulatory networks. Network integrity requires minimization of undesired crosstalk between their biomolecules. Similar constraints also limit the use of regulators when building synthetic circuits for engineering applications. Here, we mapped the promoter specificities of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σs as well as the specificity of their interaction with anti-σs. DNA synthesis was used to build 86 ECF σs (two from every subgroup), their promoters, and 62 anti-σs identified from the genomes of diverse bacteria. A subset of 20 σs and promoters were found to be highly orthogonal to each other. This set can be increased by combining the -35 and -10 binding domains from different subgroups to build chimeras that target sequences unrepresented in any subgroup. The orthogonal σs, anti-σs, and promoters were used to build synthetic genetic switches in Escherichia coli. This represents a genome-scale resource of the properties of ECF σs and a resource for synthetic biology, where this set of well-characterized regulatory parts will enable the construction of sophisticated gene expression programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil A Rhodius
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas H Segall-Shapiro
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian D Sharon
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amar Ghodasara
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ekaterina Orlova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Tabakh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David H Burkhardt
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Clancy
- Synthetic Biology Research and Development, Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - Todd C Peterson
- Synthetic Biology Research and Development, Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - Carol A Gross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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40
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The Bartonella quintana extracytoplasmic function sigma factor RpoE has a role in bacterial adaptation to the arthropod vector environment. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:2662-74. [PMID: 23564167 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01972-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella quintana is a vector-borne bacterial pathogen that causes fatal disease in humans. During the infectious cycle, B. quintana transitions from the hemin-restricted human bloodstream to the hemin-rich body louse vector. Because extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors often regulate adaptation to environmental changes, we hypothesized that a previously unstudied B. quintana ECF sigma factor, RpoE, is involved in the transition from the human host to the body louse vector. The genomic context of B. quintana rpoE identified it as a member of the ECF15 family of sigma factors found only in alphaproteobacteria. ECF15 sigma factors are believed to be the master regulators of the general stress response in alphaproteobacteria. In this study, we examined the B. quintana RpoE response to two stressors that are encountered in the body louse vector environment, a decreased temperature and an increased hemin concentration. We determined that the expression of rpoE is significantly upregulated at the body louse (28°C) versus the human host (37°C) temperature. rpoE expression also was upregulated when B. quintana was exposed to high hemin concentrations. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated that RpoE function is regulated by a mechanism involving the anti-sigma factor NepR and the response regulator PhyR. The ΔrpoE ΔnepR mutant strain of B. quintana established that RpoE-mediated transcription is important in mediating the tolerance of B. quintana to high hemin concentrations. We present the first analysis of an ECF15 sigma factor in a vector-borne human pathogen and conclude that RpoE has a role in the adaptation of B. quintana to the hemin-rich arthropod vector environment.
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41
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Sheppard C, James E, Barton G, Matthews S, Severinov K, Wigneshweraraj S. A non-bacterial transcription factor inhibits bacterial transcription by a multipronged mechanism. RNA Biol 2013; 10:495-501. [PMID: 23558648 DOI: 10.4161/rna.24283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of transcription initiation is the major target for regulation of gene expression in bacteria and is performed by a multi-subunit RNA polymerase enzyme (RNAp). A complex network of regulatory elements controls the activity of the RNAp to fine-tune transcriptional output. Thus, RNAp is a nexus for controlling bacterial gene expression at the transcription level. Many bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, encode transcription factors that specifically target and modulate the activity of the host RNAp and, thereby, facilitate the acquisition of the host bacteria by the phage. Here, we describe the modus operandi of a T7 bacteriophage-encoded small protein called Gp2 and define Gp2 as a non-bacterial regulator of bacterial transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Sheppard
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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42
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Signal correlations in ecological niches can shape the organization and evolution of bacterial gene regulatory networks. Adv Microb Physiol 2013; 61:1-36. [PMID: 23046950 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394423-8.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation plays a significant role in the biological response of bacteria to changing environmental conditions. Therefore, mapping transcriptional regulatory networks is an important step not only in understanding how bacteria sense and interpret their environment but also to identify the functions involved in biological responses to specific conditions. Recent experimental and computational developments have facilitated the characterization of regulatory networks on a genome-wide scale in model organisms. In addition, the multiplication of complete genome sequences has encouraged comparative analyses to detect conserved regulatory elements and infer regulatory networks in other less well-studied organisms. However, transcription regulation appears to evolve rapidly, thus, creating challenges for the transfer of knowledge to nonmodel organisms. Nevertheless, the mechanisms and constraints driving the evolution of regulatory networks have been the subjects of numerous analyses, and several models have been proposed. Overall, the contributions of mutations, recombination, and horizontal gene transfer are complex. Finally, the rapid evolution of regulatory networks plays a significant role in the remarkable capacity of bacteria to adapt to new or changing environments. Conversely, the characteristics of environmental niches determine the selective pressures and can shape the structure of regulatory network accordingly.
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Battesti A, Gottesman S. Roles of adaptor proteins in regulation of bacterial proteolysis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2013; 16:140-7. [PMID: 23375660 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Elimination of non-functional or unwanted proteins is critical for cell growth and regulation. In bacteria, ATP-dependent proteases target cytoplasmic proteins for degradation, contributing to both protein quality control and regulation of specific proteins, thus playing roles parallel to that of the proteasome in eukaryotic cells. Adaptor proteins provide a way to modulate the substrate specificity of the proteases and allow regulated proteolysis. Advances over the past few years have provided new insight into how adaptor proteins interact with both substrates and proteases and how adaptor functions are regulated. An important advance has come with the recognition of the critical roles of anti-adaptor proteins in regulating adaptor availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelia Battesti
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
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44
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Kawazoe R, Mahan KM, Venghaus BE, Carter ML, Herrin DL. Circadian regulation of chloroplast transcription in Chlamydomonas is accompanied by little or no fluctuation in RPOD levels or core RNAP activity. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 39:10565-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-1942-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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45
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Bibb MJ, Domonkos A, Chandra G, Buttner MJ. Expression of the chaplin and rodlin hydrophobic sheath proteins in Streptomyces venezuelae is controlled by σ(BldN) and a cognate anti-sigma factor, RsbN. Mol Microbiol 2012; 84:1033-49. [PMID: 22582857 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08070.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The chaplin and rodlin proteins together constitute the major components of the hydrophobic sheath that coats the aerial hyphae and spores in Streptomyces, and mutants lacking the chaplins are unable to erect aerial hyphae and differentiate on minimal media. We have gained insight into the developmental regulation of the chaplin (chp) and rodlin (rdl) genes by exploiting a new model species, Streptomyces venezuelae, which sporulates in liquid culture. Using microarrays, the chaplin and rodlin genes were found to be highly induced during submerged sporulation in a bldN-dependent manner. Using σ(BldN) ChIP-chip, we show that this dependence arises because the chaplin and rodlin genes are direct biochemical targets of σ(BldN) . sven3186 (here named rsbN for regulator of sigma BldN), the gene lying immediately downstream of bldN, was also identified as a target of σ(BldN) . Disruption of rsbN causes precocious sporulation and biochemical experiments demonstrate that RsbN functions as a σ(BldN) -specific anti-sigma factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen J Bibb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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46
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Structural basis for sigma factor mimicry in the general stress response of Alphaproteobacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:E1405-14. [PMID: 22550171 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1117003109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming gene expression is an essential component of adaptation to changing environmental conditions. In bacteria, a widespread mechanism involves alternative sigma factors that redirect transcription toward specific regulons. The activity of sigma factors is often regulated through sequestration by cognate anti-sigma factors; however, for most systems, it is not known how the activity of the anti-sigma factor is controlled to release the sigma factor. Recently, the general stress response sigma factor in Alphaproteobacteria, σ(EcfG), was identified. σ(EcfG) is inactivated by the anti-sigma factor NepR, which is itself regulated by the response regulator PhyR. This key regulator sequesters NepR upon phosphorylation of its PhyR receiver domain via its σ(EcfG) sigma factor-like output domain (PhyR(SL)). To understand the molecular basis of the PhyR-mediated partner-switching mechanism, we solved the structure of the PhyR(SL)-NepR complex using NMR. The complex reveals an unprecedented anti-sigma factor binding mode: upon PhyR(SL) binding, NepR forms two helices that extend over the surface of the PhyR(SL) subdomains. Homology modeling and comparative analysis of NepR, PhyR(SL), and σ(EcfG) mutants indicate that NepR contacts both proteins with the same determinants, showing sigma factor mimicry at the atomic level. A lower density of hydrophobic interactions, together with the absence of specific polar contacts in the σ(EcfG)-NepR complex model, is consistent with the higher affinity of NepR for PhyR compared with σ(EcfG). Finally, by reconstituting the partner switch in vitro, we demonstrate that the difference in affinity of NepR for its partners is sufficient for the switch to occur.
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47
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Chang A, Smollett KL, Gopaul KK, Chan BHY, Davis EO. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv sigC is expressed from two promoters but is not auto-regulatory. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2011; 92:48-55. [PMID: 22015173 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2011.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor SigC has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis but control of its expression and activity is poorly understood. No proteins that interact with SigC have been detected leading to the suggestion that this sigma factor may be primarily controlled at the level of transcription. It has been suggested that SigC may be autoregulatory and a role has also been proposed for SigF in the expression of sigC. In this study we identified two promoters that were active under standard growth conditions by a combination of transcript start site mapping and promoter-lacZ fusion assays. The dominant promoter, P1, closely resembled mycobacterial SigA-dependent promoters, and introduction of a single base change at the conserved A of the -10 region eliminated promoter activity. Although the sequence of the other, P2, closely resembled the reported SigC consensus motifs, expression directed by this promoter was unaltered in a ΔsigC mutant strain, or in strains defective in other ECF sigma factors for which some similarity in consensus sequences was apparent. Comparison of the effects of different changes in the -10 region suggested that the P2 promoter was most likely recognised by SigA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchi Chang
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
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48
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The ECF sigma factor SigT regulates actinorhodin production in response to nitrogen stress in Streptomyces coelicolor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2011; 92:1009-21. [PMID: 22002068 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-011-3619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Sigma factors of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) subfamily are important regulators of stress responses in bacteria. This work described the characterization of ECF sigma factor SigT in Streptomyces coelicolor. We found the absence of sigT almost abolished the production of the antibiotics actinorhodin (Act) under nitrogen stress. Under nitrogen-limited conditions, significantly reduced Act production and linked actII-ORF4 transcription with respect to wild type were observed in the sigT-null mutant. Using reporter (xylE) fusion to sigT promoter, we demonstrated that sigT was induced by nitrogen limitation in a SigT-dependent manner. Transcriptional analyses showed that SigT controlled the expression of relA, the ppGpp synthetase gene, and consequently affected the Act production upon nitrogen starvation. Co-transcription analysis revealed that sigT was co-transcribed with rstB (gene upstream of sigT) but not with rstA (gene downstream of sigT). Phenotypic and transcriptional results suggested RstA may modulate the activity of SigT positively.
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49
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Serrano M, Real G, Santos J, Carneiro J, Moran CP, Henriques AO. A negative feedback loop that limits the ectopic activation of a cell type-specific sporulation sigma factor of Bacillus subtilis. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1002220. [PMID: 21935351 PMCID: PMC3174212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two highly similar RNA polymerase sigma subunits, σF and σG, govern the early and late phases of forespore-specific gene expression during spore differentiation in Bacillus subtilis. σF drives synthesis of σG but the latter only becomes active once engulfment of the forespore by the mother cell is completed, its levels rising quickly due to a positive feedback loop. The mechanisms that prevent premature or ectopic activation of σG while discriminating between σF and σG in the forespore are not fully comprehended. Here, we report that the substitution of an asparagine by a glutamic acid at position 45 of σG (N45E) strongly reduced binding by a previously characterized anti-sigma factor, CsfB (also known as Gin), in vitro, and increased the activity of σG in vivo. The N45E mutation caused the appearance of a sub-population of pre-divisional cells with strong activity of σG. CsfB is normally produced in the forespore, under σF control, but sigGN45E mutant cells also expressed csfB and did so in a σG-dependent manner, autonomously from σF. Thus, a negative feedback loop involving CsfB counteracts the positive feedback loop resulting from ectopic σG activity. N45 is invariant in the homologous position of σG orthologues, whereas its functional equivalent in σF proteins, E39, is highly conserved. While CsfB does not bind to wild-type σF, a E39N substitution in σF resulted in efficient binding of CsfB to σF. Moreover, under certain conditions, the E39N alteration strongly restrains the activity of σF in vivo, in a csfB-dependent manner, and the efficiency of sporulation. Therefore, a single amino residue, N45/E39, is sufficient for the ability of CsfB to discriminate between the two forespore-specific sigma factors in B. subtilis. Positive auto-regulation of a transcriptional activator during cell differentiation or development often allows the rapid and robust deployment of cell- and stage-specific genes and the routing of the differentiating cell down a specific path. Positive auto-regulation however, raises the potential for inappropriate activity of the transcription factor. Here we unravel the role of a previously characterized anti-sigma factor, CsfB, in a negative feedback loop that prevents ectopic expression of the sporulation-specific sigma factor σG of Bacillus subtilis. σG is activated in the forespore, one of the two chambers of the developing cell, at an intermediate stage in spore development. Once active, a positive feedback loop allows the rapid accumulation of σG. Synthesis of both σG and CsfB is under the control of the early forespore regulator σF, and CsfB may help prevent the premature activity of σG in the forespore. However, CsfB is also produced under σG control in non-sporulating cells, setting a negative feedback loop that we show limits its ectopic activation. We further show that an asparagine residue conserved among σG orthologues is critical for binding and inhibition by CsfB, whereas the exclusion of asparagine from the homologous position in σF confers immunity to CsfB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Real
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Joana Santos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Charles P. Moran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Adriano O. Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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50
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The E. coli anti-sigma factor Rsd: studies on the specificity and regulation of its expression. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19235. [PMID: 21573101 PMCID: PMC3089606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Among the seven different sigma factors in E. coli σ70 has the highest concentration and affinity for the core RNA polymerase. The E. coli protein Rsd is regarded as an anti-sigma factor, inhibiting σ70-dependent transcription at the onset of stationary growth. Although binding of Rsd to σ70 has been shown and numerous structural studies on Rsd have been performed the detailed mechanism of action is still unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings We have performed studies to unravel the function and regulation of Rsd expression in vitro and in vivo. Cross-linking and affinity binding revealed that Rsd is able to interact with σ70, with the core enzyme of RNA polymerase and is able to form dimers in solution. Unexpectedly, we find that Rsd does also interact with σ38, the stationary phase-specific sigma factor. This interaction was further corroborated by gel retardation and footprinting studies with different promoter fragments and σ38- or σ70-containing RNA polymerase in presence of Rsd. Under competitive in vitro transcription conditions, in presence of both sigma factors, a selective inhibition of σ70-dependent transcription was prevailing, however. Analysis of rsd expression revealed that the nucleoid-associated proteins H-NS and FIS, StpA and LRP bind to the regulatory region of the rsd promoters. Furthermore, the major promoter P2 was shown to be down-regulated in vivo by RpoS, the stationary phase-specific sigma factor and the transcription factor DksA, while induction of the stringent control enhanced rsd promoter activity. Most notably, the dam-dependent methylation of a cluster of GATC sites turned out to be important for efficient rsd transcription. Conclusions/Significance The results contribute to a better understanding of the intricate mechanism of Rsd-mediated sigma factor specificity changes during stationary phase.
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