1
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Sharma R, Mishanina TV. A riboswitch-controlled TerC family transporter Alx tunes intracellular manganese concentration in Escherichia coli at alkaline pH. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0016824. [PMID: 38869303 PMCID: PMC11270866 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00168-24] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells use transition metal ions as structural components of biomolecules and cofactors in enzymatic reactions, making transition metal ions integral cellular components. Organisms optimize metal ion concentration to meet cellular needs by regulating the expression of proteins that import and export that metal ion, often in a metal ion concentration-dependent manner. One such regulation mechanism is via riboswitches, which are 5'-untranslated regions of an mRNA that undergo conformational changes to promote or inhibit the expression of the downstream gene, commonly in response to a ligand. The yybP-ykoY family of bacterial riboswitches shares a conserved aptamer domain that binds manganese ions (Mn2+). In Escherichia coli, the yybP-ykoY riboswitch precedes and regulates the expression of two different genes: mntP, which based on genetic evidence encodes an Mn2+ exporter, and alx, which encodes a putative metal ion transporter whose cognate ligand is currently in question. The expression of alx is upregulated by both elevated concentrations of Mn2+ and alkaline pH. With metal ion measurements and gene expression studies, we demonstrate that the alkalinization of media increases the cytoplasmic manganese pool, which, in turn, enhances alx expression. The Alx-mediated Mn2+ export prevents the toxic buildup of the cellular manganese, with the export activity maximal at alkaline pH. We pinpoint a set of acidic residues in the predicted transmembrane segments of Alx that play a critical role in Mn2+ export. We propose that Alx-mediated Mn2+ export serves as a primary protective mechanism that fine tunes the cytoplasmic manganese content, especially during alkaline stress.IMPORTANCEBacteria use clever ways to tune gene expression upon encountering certain environmental stresses, such as alkaline pH in parts of the human gut and high concentration of a transition metal ion manganese. One way by which bacteria regulate the expression of their genes is through the 5'-untranslated regions of messenger RNA called riboswitches that bind ligands to turn expression of genes on/off. In this work, we have investigated the roles and regulation of alx and mntP, the two genes in Escherichia coli regulated by the yybP-ykoY riboswitches, in alkaline pH and high concentration of Mn2+. This work highlights the intricate ways through which bacteria adapt to their surroundings, utilizing riboregulatory mechanisms to maintain Mn2+ levels amidst varying environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Sharma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tatiana V. Mishanina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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2
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Kahali S, Das SK, Kumar R, Gupta K, Kundu R, Bhattacharya B, Nath A, Venkatramani R, Datta A. A water-soluble, cell-permeable Mn(ii) sensor enables visualization of manganese dynamics in live mammalian cells. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10753-10769. [PMID: 39027293 PMCID: PMC11253179 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00907j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Central roles of Mn2+ ions in immunity, brain function, and photosynthesis necessitate probes for tracking this essential metal ion in living systems. However, developing a cell-permeable, fluorescent sensor for selective imaging of Mn2+ ions in the aqueous cellular milieu has remained a challenge. This is because Mn2+ is a weak binder to ligand-scaffolds and Mn2+ ions quench fluorescent dyes leading to turn-off sensors that are not applicable for in vivo imaging. Sensors with a unique combination of Mn2+ selectivity, μM sensitivity, and response in aqueous media are necessary for not only visualizing labile cellular Mn2+ ions live, but also for measuring Mn2+ concentrations in living cells. No sensor has achieved this combination thus far. Here we report a novel, completely water-soluble, reversible, fluorescent turn-on, Mn2+ selective sensor, M4, with a K d of 1.4 μM for Mn2+ ions. M4 entered cells within 15 min of direct incubation and was applied to image Mn2+ ions in living mammalian cells in both confocal fluorescence intensity and lifetime-based set-ups. The probe was able to visualize Mn2+ dynamics in live cells revealing differential Mn2+ localization and uptake dynamics under pathophysiological versus physiological conditions. In a key experiment, we generated an in-cell Mn2+ response curve for the sensor which allowed the measurement of the endogenous labile Mn2+ concentration in HeLa cells as 1.14 ± 0.15 μM. Thus, our computationally designed, selective, sensitive, and cell-permeable sensor with a 620 nM limit of detection for Mn2+ in water provides the first estimate of endogenous labile Mn2+ levels in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitaroopa Kahali
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Sujit Kumar Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Kunika Gupta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Rajasree Kundu
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Baivabi Bhattacharya
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Arnab Nath
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Ravindra Venkatramani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
| | - Ankona Datta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1 Homi Bhabha Road Mumbai 400005 India
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3
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Shi H, Fu Y, Kodyte V, Andreas A, Sachla AJ, Miller K, Shrestha R, Helmann JD, Glasfeld A, Ahuja S. Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4657015. [PMID: 39070638 PMCID: PMC11275975 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4657015/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The manganese transport regulator (MntR) from B. subtilis is a dual regulatory protein that responds to heightened Mn2+ availability in the cell by both repressing the expression of uptake transporters and activating the expression of efflux proteins. Recent work indicates that, in its role as an activator, MntR binds several sites upstream of the genes encoding Mn2+ exporters, leading to a cooperative response to manganese. Here, we use cryo-EM to explore the molecular basis of gene activation by MntR and report a structure of four MntR dimers bound to four 18-base pair sites across an 84-base pair regulatory region of the mneP promoter. Our structures, along with solution studies including mass photometry and in vivo transcription assays, reveal that MntR dimers employ polar and non-polar contacts to bind cooperatively to an array of low-affinity DNA-binding sites. These results reveal the molecular basis for cooperativity in the activation of manganese efflux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyuan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
- Current address: Department of Chemical Pharmacology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
- Current address: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Vilmante Kodyte
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
| | - Amelie Andreas
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
| | - Ankita J. Sachla
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101
| | - Keiki Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
| | | | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-8101
| | - Arthur Glasfeld
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
| | - Shivani Ahuja
- Department of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, USA
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4
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Shi H, Fu Y, Kodyte V, Andreas A, Sachla AJ, Miller K, Shrestha R, Helmann JD, Glasfeld A, Ahuja S. Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601288. [PMID: 38979284 PMCID: PMC11230367 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The manganese transport regulator (MntR) from B. subtilis is a dual regulatory protein that responds to heightened Mn 2+ availability in the cell by both repressing the expression of uptake transporters and activating the expression of efflux proteins. Recent work indicates that, in its role as an activator, MntR binds several sites upstream of the genes encoding Mn 2+ exporters, leading to a cooperative response to manganese. Here, we use cryo-EM to explore the molecular basis of gene activation by MntR and report a structure of four MntR dimers bound to four 18-base pair sites across an 84-base pair regulatory region of the mneP promoter. Our structures, along with solution studies including mass photometry and in vivo transcription assays, reveal that MntR dimers employ polar and non-polar contacts to bind cooperatively to an array of low-affinity DNA-binding sites. These results reveal the molecular basis for cooperativity in the activation of manganese efflux.
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5
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Grover K, Koblova A, Pezacki AT, Chang CJ, New EJ. Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Binding- and Activity-Based Sensing of Redox-Active Biological Metals. Chem Rev 2024; 124:5846-5929. [PMID: 38657175 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Although transition metals constitute less than 0.1% of the total mass within a human body, they have a substantial impact on fundamental biological processes across all kingdoms of life. Indeed, these nutrients play crucial roles in the physiological functions of enzymes, with the redox properties of many of these metals being essential to their activity. At the same time, imbalances in transition metal pools can be detrimental to health. Modern analytical techniques are helping to illuminate the workings of metal homeostasis at a molecular and atomic level, their spatial localization in real time, and the implications of metal dysregulation in disease pathogenesis. Fluorescence microscopy has proven to be one of the most promising non-invasive methods for studying metal pools in biological samples. The accuracy and sensitivity of bioimaging experiments are predominantly determined by the fluorescent metal-responsive sensor, highlighting the importance of rational probe design for such measurements. This review covers activity- and binding-based fluorescent metal sensors that have been applied to cellular studies. We focus on the essential redox-active metals: iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chromium, and nickel. We aim to encourage further targeted efforts in developing innovative approaches to understanding the biological chemistry of redox-active metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karandeep Grover
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Alla Koblova
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Aidan T Pezacki
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christopher J Chang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Elizabeth J New
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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6
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Jensen GC, Janis MK, Nguyen HN, David OW, Zastrow ML. Fluorescent Protein-Based Sensors for Detecting Essential Metal Ions across the Tree of Life. ACS Sens 2024; 9:1622-1643. [PMID: 38587931 PMCID: PMC11073808 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c02695] [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] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescent metal ion sensors are powerful tools for elucidating metal dynamics in living systems. Over the last 25 years since the first examples of genetically encoded fluorescent protein-based calcium indicators, this toolbox of probes has expanded to include other essential and non-essential metal ions. Collectively, these tools have illuminated fundamental aspects of metal homeostasis and trafficking that are crucial to fields ranging from neurobiology to human nutrition. Despite these advances, much of the application of metal ion sensors remains limited to mammalian cells and tissues and a limited number of essential metals. Applications beyond mammalian systems and in vivo applications in living organisms have primarily used genetically encoded calcium ion sensors. The aim of this Perspective is to provide, with the support of historical and recent literature, an updated and critical view of the design and use of fluorescent protein-based sensors for detecting essential metal ions in various organisms. We highlight the historical progress and achievements with calcium sensors and discuss more recent advances and opportunities for the detection of other essential metal ions. We also discuss outstanding challenges in the field and directions for future studies, including detecting a wider variety of metal ions, developing and implementing a broader spectral range of sensors for multiplexing experiments, and applying sensors to a wider range of single- and multi-species biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary C Jensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Makena K Janis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Hazel N Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Ogonna W David
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Melissa L Zastrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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7
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Čapek J, Večerek B. Why is manganese so valuable to bacterial pathogens? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:943390. [PMID: 36816586 PMCID: PMC9936198 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.943390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Apart from oxygenic photosynthesis, the extent of manganese utilization in bacteria varies from species to species and also appears to depend on external conditions. This observation is in striking contrast to iron, which is similar to manganese but essential for the vast majority of bacteria. To adequately explain the role of manganese in pathogens, we first present in this review that the accumulation of molecular oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere was a key event that linked manganese utilization to iron utilization and put pressure on the use of manganese in general. We devote a large part of our contribution to explanation of how molecular oxygen interferes with iron so that it enhances oxidative stress in cells, and how bacteria have learned to control the concentration of free iron in the cytosol. The functioning of iron in the presence of molecular oxygen serves as a springboard for a fundamental understanding of why manganese is so valued by bacterial pathogens. The bulk of this review addresses how manganese can replace iron in enzymes. Redox-active enzymes must cope with the higher redox potential of manganese compared to iron. Therefore, specific manganese-dependent isoenzymes have evolved that either lower the redox potential of the bound metal or use a stronger oxidant. In contrast, redox-inactive enzymes can exchange the metal directly within the individual active site, so no isoenzymes are required. It appears that in the physiological context, only redox-inactive mononuclear or dinuclear enzymes are capable of replacing iron with manganese within the same active site. In both cases, cytosolic conditions play an important role in the selection of the metal used. In conclusion, we summarize both well-characterized and less-studied mechanisms of the tug-of-war for manganese between host and pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Čapek
- *Correspondence: Jan Čapek, ; Branislav Večerek,
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8
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Jelić Matošević Z, Radman K, Loubser J, Crnolatac I, Piantanida I, Cukrowski I, Ašler IL, Bertoša B. Structural Dynamics of the Bacillus subtilis MntR Transcription Factor Is Locked by Mn 2+ Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020957. [PMID: 36674477 PMCID: PMC9861239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Manganese (II) ions are essential for a variety of bacterial cellular processes. The transcription factor MntR is a metallosensor that regulates Mn2+ ion homeostasis in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Its DNA-binding affinity is increased by Mn2+ ion binding, allowing it to act as a transcriptional repressor of manganese import systems. Although experimentally well-researched, the molecular mechanism that regulates this process is still a puzzle. Computational simulations supported by circular dichroism (CD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and native gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) experiments were employed to study MntR structural and dynamical properties in the presence and absence of Mn2+ ions. The results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that Mn2+ ion binding reduces the structural dynamics of the MntR protein and shifts the dynamic equilibrium towards the conformations adequate for DNA binding. Results of CD and DSC measurements support the computational results showing the change in helical content and stability of the MntR protein upon Mn2+ ion binding. Further, MD simulations show that Mn2+ binding induces polarization of the protein electrostatic potential, increasing the positive electrostatic potential of the DNA-binding helices in particular. In order to provide a deeper understanding of the changes in protein structure and dynamics due to Mn2+ binding, a mutant in which Mn2+ binding is mimicked by a cysteine bridge was constructed and also studied computationally and experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Jelić Matošević
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Radman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jolene Loubser
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Ivo Crnolatac
- Division of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivo Piantanida
- Division of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ignacy Cukrowski
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Ivana Leščić Ašler
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branimir Bertoša
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-4606-132
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9
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Steingard CH, Pinochet-Barros A, Wendel BM, Helmann JD. Iron homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis relies on three differentially expressed efflux systems. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001289. [PMID: 36748638 PMCID: PMC9993123 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In Bacillus subtilis, iron homeostasis is maintained by the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) and manganese homeostasis relies on the manganese transport regulator (MntR). Both Fur and MntR function as bi-functional metalloregulators that repress import and activate metal ion efflux systems. The ferrous iron efflux ATPase, PfeT, is derepressed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as sensed by PerR and induced by iron as sensed by Fur. Mutants lacking PfeT are sensitive to iron intoxication. Here, we show that mntR mutants are also iron-sensitive, largely due to decreased expression of the MntR-activated MneP and MneS cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) proteins previously defined for their role in Mn2+ export. The ability of MneP and MneS to export iron is apparent even when their expression is not induced by Mn2+. Our results demonstrate that PfeT, MneP and MneS each contribute to iron homeostasis, and a triple mutant lacking all three is more iron-sensitive than any single mutant. We further show that sensitivity to H2O2 does not correlate with iron sensitivity. For example, an mntR mutant is H2O2-sensitive due to elevated Mn(II) that increases PerR-mediated repression of peroxide resistance genes, and this repression is antagonized by elevated Fe2+ in an mntR pfeT mutant. Thus, H2O2-sensitivity reflects the relative levels of Mn2+ and Fe2+ as sensed by the PerR regulatory protein. These results underscore the complex interplay between manganese, iron and oxidative stress in B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline H Steingard
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101, USA
| | - Azul Pinochet-Barros
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101, USA
| | - Brian M Wendel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101, USA
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10
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Park J, Cleary MB, Li D, Mattocks JA, Xu J, Wang H, Mukhopadhyay S, Gale EM, Cotruvo JA. A genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for manganese(II), engineered from lanmodulin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2212723119. [PMID: 36508659 PMCID: PMC9907080 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212723119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of selective metal-binding sites is a challenge in both small-molecule and macromolecular chemistry. Selective recognition of manganese (II)-the first-row transition metal ion that tends to bind with the lowest affinity to ligands, as described by the Irving-Williams series-is particularly difficult. As a result, there is a dearth of chemical biology tools with which to study manganese physiology in live cells, which would advance understanding of photosynthesis, host-pathogen interactions, and neurobiology. Here we report the rational re-engineering of the lanthanide-binding protein, lanmodulin, into genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for MnII, MnLaMP1 and MnLaMP2. These sensors with effective Kd(MnII) of 29 and 7 µM, respectively, defy the Irving-Williams series to selectively detect MnII in vitro and in vivo. We apply both sensors to visualize kinetics of bacterial labile manganese pools. Biophysical studies indicate the importance of coordinated solvent and hydrophobic interactions in the sensors' selectivity. Our results establish lanmodulin as a versatile scaffold for design of selective protein-based biosensors and chelators for metals beyond the f-block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Park
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802
| | - Michael B. Cleary
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA02129
| | - Danyang Li
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Joseph A. Mattocks
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802
| | - Jiansong Xu
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802
| | - Huan Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA02129
| | - Somshuvra Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Eric M. Gale
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA02129
| | - Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802
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11
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Genetic Regulation of Metal Ion Homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:821-831. [PMID: 32381454 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of metal ions and the proper maturation of holo-metalloproteins are essential processes for all organisms. However, metal ion homeostasis is a double-edged sword. A cytosolic accumulation of metal ions can lead to mismetallation of proteins and cell death. Therefore, maintenance of proper concentrations of intracellular metals is essential for cell fitness and pathogenesis. Staphylococcus aureus, like all bacterial pathogens, uses transcriptional metalloregulatory proteins to aid in the detection and the genetic response to changes in metal ion concentrations. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which S. aureus senses and responds to alterations in the levels of cellular zinc, iron, heme, and copper. The interplay between metal ion sensing and metal-dependent expression of virulence factors is also discussed.
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12
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Metalation: nature's challenge in bioinorganic chemistry. J Biol Inorg Chem 2020; 25:543-545. [PMID: 32333210 PMCID: PMC7239837 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-020-01790-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The association of proteins with metals, metalation, is challenging because the tightest binding metals are rarely the correct ones. Inside cells, correct metalation is enabled by controlled bioavailability plus extra mechanisms for tricky combinations such as iron and manganese.
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13
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Peana M, Gumienna-Kontecka E, Piras F, Ostrowska M, Piasta K, Krzywoszynska K, Medici S, Zoroddu MA. Exploring the Specificity of Rationally Designed Peptides Reconstituted from the Cell-Free Extract of Deinococcus radiodurans toward Mn(II) and Cu(II). Inorg Chem 2020; 59:4661-4684. [PMID: 32212645 PMCID: PMC7467671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b03737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
![]()
A series of five
rationally designed decapeptides [DEHGTAVMLK (DP1), THMVLAKGED (DP2),
GTAVMLKDEH (Term-DEH), TMVLDEHAKG (Mid-DEH), and DEHGGGGDEH (Bis-DEH)]
have been studied for their interactions with Cu(II) and Mn(II) ions.
The peptides, constructed including the most prevalent amino acid
content found in the cell-free extract of Deinococcus radiodurans (DR), play a fundamental role in the antioxidant mechanism related
to its exceptional radioresistance. Mn(II) ions, in complex with these
peptides, are found to be an essential ingredient for the DR protection
kit. In this work, a detailed characterization of Cu(II) systems was
included, because Cu(II)–peptide complexes have also shown
remarkable antioxidant properties. All peptides studied contain in
their sequence coordinating residues that can bind effectively Mn(II)
or Cu(II) ions with high affinity, such as Asp, Glu, and His. Using
potentiometric techniques, NMR, EPR, UV–vis, and CD spectroscopies,
ESI-MS spectrometry, and molecular model calculations, we explored
the binding properties and coordination modes of all peptides toward
the two metal ions, were able to make a metal affinity comparison
for each metal system, and built a structural molecular model for
the most stable Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes in agreement with experimental
evidence. Five rationally designed decapeptides
reconstituted from the cell-free extract of Deinococcus radiodurans have been precisely analyzed in terms of their coordination properties
toward Mn(II) and Cu(II). The results provide new insight to enhance
our understanding of the impact of metal complexes in the protection
of the bacterium from various damaging agents such as ionizing radiation,
ultraviolet radiation, and oxidative stress and novel information
useful for exploiting this extraordinary ability in future biotechnological
applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Piras
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Ostrowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Karolina Piasta
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Serenella Medici
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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14
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Baksh KA, Zamble DB. Allosteric control of metal-responsive transcriptional regulators in bacteria. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1673-1684. [PMID: 31857375 PMCID: PMC7008368 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.011444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many transition metals are essential trace nutrients for living organisms, but they are also cytotoxic in high concentrations. Bacteria maintain the delicate balance between metal starvation and toxicity through a complex network of metal homeostasis pathways. These systems are coordinated by the activities of metal-responsive transcription factors-also known as metal-sensor proteins or metalloregulators-that are tuned to sense the bioavailability of specific metals in the cell in order to regulate the expression of genes encoding proteins that contribute to metal homeostasis. Metal binding to a metalloregulator allosterically influences its ability to bind specific DNA sequences through a variety of intricate mechanisms that lie on a continuum between large conformational changes and subtle changes in internal dynamics. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of how metal sensor proteins respond to intracellular metal concentrations. In particular, we highlight the allosteric mechanisms used for metal-responsive regulation of several prokaryotic single-component metalloregulators, and we briefly discuss current open questions of how metalloregulators function in bacterial cells. Understanding the regulation and function of metal-responsive transcription factors is a fundamental aspect of metallobiochemistry and is important for gaining insights into bacterial growth and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Baksh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Deborah B Zamble
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
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15
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Lee MY, Lee DW, Joo HK, Jeong KH, Lee JY. Structural analysis of the manganese transport regulator MntR from Bacillus halodurans in apo and manganese bound forms. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224689. [PMID: 31738781 PMCID: PMC6860424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The manganese transport regulator MntR is a metal-ion activated transcriptional repressor of manganese transporter genes to maintain manganese ion homeostasis. MntR, a member of the diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) family of metalloregulators, selectively responds to Mn2+ and Cd2+ over Fe2+, Co2+ and Zn2+. The DtxR/MntR family members are well conserved transcriptional repressors that regulate the expression of metal ion uptake genes by sensing the metal ion concentration. MntR functions as a homo-dimer with one metal ion binding site per subunit. Each MntR subunit contains two domains: an N-terminal DNA binding domain, and a C-terminal dimerization domain. However, it lacks the C-terminal SH3-like domain of DtxR/IdeR. The metal ion binding site of MntR is located at the interface of the two domains, whereas the DtxR/IdeR subunit contains two metal ion binding sites, the primary and ancillary sites, separated by 9 Å. In this paper, we reported the crystal structures of the apo and Mn2+-bound forms of MntR from Bacillus halodurans, and analyze the structural basis of the metal ion binding site. The crystal structure of the Mn2+-bound form is almost identical to the apo form of MntR. In the Mn2+-bound structure, one subunit contains a binuclear cluster of manganese ions, the A and C sites, but the other subunit forms a mononuclear complex. Structural data about MntR from B. halodurans supports the previous hypothesizes about manganese-specific activation mechanism of MntR homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myeong Yeon Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Won Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kyu Joo
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Hwa Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Young Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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16
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Das S, Khatua K, Rakshit A, Carmona A, Sarkar A, Bakthavatsalam S, Ortega R, Datta A. Emerging chemical tools and techniques for tracking biological manganese. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:7047-7061. [DOI: 10.1039/c9dt00508k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This frontier article discusses chemical tools and techniques for tracking and imaging Mn ions in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayani Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Colaba
- India
| | - Kaustav Khatua
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Colaba
- India
| | - Ananya Rakshit
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Colaba
- India
| | - Asuncion Carmona
- Chemical Imaging and Speciation
- CENBG
- University of Bordeaux
- UMR 5797
- 33175 Gradignan
| | - Anindita Sarkar
- Department of Biological Chemistry
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
| | | | - Richard Ortega
- Chemical Imaging and Speciation
- CENBG
- University of Bordeaux
- UMR 5797
- 33175 Gradignan
| | - Ankona Datta
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Colaba
- India
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17
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Iron is required for growth and is often redox active under cytosolic conditions. As a result of its facile redox chemistry, iron homeostasis is intricately involved with oxidative stress. Bacterial adaptation to iron limitation and oxidative stress often involves ferric uptake regulator (Fur) proteins: a diverse set of divalent cation-dependent, DNA-binding proteins that vary widely in both metal selectivity and sensitivity to metal-catalyzed oxidation. Recent Advances: Bacteria contain two Fur family metalloregulators that use ferrous iron (Fe2+) as their cofactor, Fur and PerR. Fur functions to regulate iron homeostasis in response to changes in intracellular levels of Fe2+. PerR also binds Fe2+, which enables metal-catalyzed protein oxidation as a mechanism for sensing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). CRITICAL ISSUES To effectively regulate iron homeostasis, Fur has an Fe2+ affinity tuned to monitor the labile iron pool of the cell and may be under selective pressure to minimize iron oxidation, which would otherwise lead to an inappropriate increase in iron uptake under oxidative stress conditions. Conversely, Fe2+ is bound more tightly to PerR but exhibits high H2O2 reactivity, which enables a rapid induction of peroxide stress genes. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The features that determine the disparate reactivity of these proteins with oxidants are still poorly understood. A controlled, comparative analysis of the affinities of Fur/PerR proteins for their metal cofactors and their rate of reactivity with H2O2, combined with structure/function analyses, will be needed to define the molecular mechanisms that have facilitated this divergence of function between these two paralogous regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York
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18
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Cong X, Yuan Z, Wang Z, Wei B, Xu S, Wang J. Crystal structures of manganese-dependent transcriptional repressor MntR (Rv2788) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in apo and manganese bound forms. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:423-427. [PMID: 29730293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes two members of the DtxR family metalloregulators, IdeR and MntR. IdeR represses gene expression in response to ferrous iron, while MntR (Rv2788) functions as a manganese-dependent transcriptional repressor, which represses the expression of manganese transporter genes to maintain manganese homeostasis. Although the structural study towards IdeR is in-depth, there is no MntR structure available. Herein, we report both apo and manganese bound forms of MntR structures from M. tuberculosis. MntR has evolved into two metal ion binding sites like other DtxR proteins and for the first time, we captured the two sites fully occupied by its natural ions with one Mn2+ ion at the first site and two Mn2+ ions at the second binding site (binuclear manganese cluster). The conformation change of MntR resulting from manganese binding could prime the MntR for DNA binding, which is a conserved activation mechanism among DtxR family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Zenglin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Bin Wei
- Shandong Asia-pacific Highharve Organisms Science and Technology, CO., LTD, China
| | - Sujuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Jinbao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
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19
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Convergent Use of Heptacoordination for Cation Selectivity by RNA and Protein Metalloregulators. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:962-973.e5. [PMID: 29805037 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The large yybP-ykoY family of bacterial riboswitches is broadly distributed phylogenetically. Previously, these gene-regulatory RNAs were proposed to respond to Mn2+. X-ray crystallography revealed a binuclear cation-binding pocket. This comprises one hexacoordinate site, with six oxygen ligands, which preorganizes the second, with five oxygen and one nitrogen ligands. The relatively soft nitrogen ligand was proposed to confer affinity for Mn2+, but how this excludes other soft cations remained enigmatic. By subjecting representative yybP-ykoY riboswitches to diverse cations in vitro, we now find that these RNAs exhibit limited transition metal ion selectivity. Among the cations tested, Cd2+ and Mn2+ bind most tightly, and comparison of three new Cd2+-bound crystal structures suggests that these riboswitches achieve selectivity by enforcing heptacoordination (favored by high-spin Cd2+ and Mn2+, but otherwise uncommon) in the softer site. Remarkably, the Cd2+- and Mn2+-selective bacterial transcription factor MntR also uses heptacoordination within a binuclear site to achieve selectivity.
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20
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Metallochaperones and metalloregulation in bacteria. Essays Biochem 2017; 61:177-200. [PMID: 28487396 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20160076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial transition metal homoeostasis or simply 'metallostasis' describes the process by which cells control the intracellular availability of functionally required metal cofactors, from manganese (Mn) to zinc (Zn), avoiding both metal deprivation and toxicity. Metallostasis is an emerging aspect of the vertebrate host-pathogen interface that is defined by a 'tug-of-war' for biologically essential metals and provides the motivation for much recent work in this area. The host employs a number of strategies to starve the microbial pathogen of essential metals, while for others attempts to limit bacterial infections by leveraging highly competitive metals. Bacteria must be capable of adapting to these efforts to remodel the transition metal landscape and employ highly specialized metal sensing transcriptional regulators, termed metalloregulatory proteins,and metallochaperones, that allocate metals to specific destinations, to mediate this adaptive response. In this essay, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of the structural mechanisms and metal specificity of this adaptive response, focusing on energy-requiring metallochaperones that play roles in the metallocofactor active site assembly in metalloenzymes and metallosensors, which govern the systems-level response to metal limitation and intoxication.
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21
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Chandrangsu P, Rensing C, Helmann JD. Metal homeostasis and resistance in bacteria. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:338-350. [PMID: 28344348 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metal ions are essential for many reactions, but excess metals can be toxic. In bacteria, metal limitation activates pathways that are involved in the import and mobilization of metals, whereas excess metals induce efflux and storage. In this Review, we highlight recent insights into metal homeostasis, including protein-based and RNA-based sensors that interact directly with metals or metal-containing cofactors. The resulting transcriptional response to metal stress takes place in a stepwise manner and is reinforced by post-transcriptional regulatory systems. Metal limitation and intoxication by the host are evolutionarily ancient strategies for limiting bacterial growth. The details of the resulting growth restriction are beginning to be understood and seem to be organism-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pete Chandrangsu
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Wing Hall, 123 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China.,Department of Agricultural Resource and Environment, College of Resources and the Environment, Fujian Agriculture &Forestry University, Boxbue Building, 15 Shangxiadian Road, Cangshan District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.,J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Wing Hall, 123 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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22
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Chen Z, Wang X, Yang F, Hu Q, Tong H, Dong X. Molecular Insights into Hydrogen Peroxide-sensing Mechanism of the Metalloregulator MntR in Controlling Bacterial Resistance to Oxidative Stresses. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:5519-5531. [PMID: 28223356 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.764126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese contributes to anti-oxidative stress particularly in catalase-devoid bacteria, and DtxR family metalloregulators, through sensing cellular Mn2+ content, regulate its homeostasis. Here, we show that metalloregulator MntR (So-MntR) functions dually as Mn2+ and H2O2 sensors in mediating H2O2 resistance by an oral streptococcus. H2O2 disrupted So-MntR binding to Mn2+ transporter mntABC promoter and induced disulfide-linked dimerization of the protein. Mass spectrometry identified Cys-11/Cys-156 and Cys-11/Cys-11 disulfide-linked peptides in H2O2-treated So-MntR. Site mutagenesis of Cys-11 and Cys-156 and particularly Cys-11 abolished H2O2-induced disulfide-linked dimers and weakened H2O2 damage on So-MntR binding, indicating that H2O2 inactivates So-MntR via disulfide-linked dimerization. So-MntR C123S mutant was extremely sensitive to H2O2 oxidization in dimerization/oligomerization, probably because the mutagenesis caused a conformational change that facilitates Cys-11/Cys-156 disulfide linkage. Intermolecular Cys-11/Cys-11 disulfide was detected in C123S/C156S double mutant. Redox Western blot detected So-MntR oligomers in air-exposed cells but remarkably decreased upon H2O2 pulsing, suggesting a proteolysis of the disulfide-linked So-MntR oligomers. Remarkably, elevated C11S and C156S but much lower C123S proteins were detected in H2O2-pulsed cells, confirming Cys-11 and Cys-156 contributed to H2O2-induced oligomerization and degradation. Accordingly, in the C11S and C156S mutants, expression of mntABC and cellular Mn2+ decreased, but H2O2 susceptibility increased. In the C123S mutant, increased mntABC expression, cellular Mn2+ content, and manganese-mediated H2O2 survival were determined. Given the wide distribution of Cys-11 in streptococcal DtxR-like metalloregulators, the disclosed redox regulatory function and mechanism of So-MntR can be employed by the DtxR family proteins in bacterial resistance to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyuan Chen
- From the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China, and
| | - Xinhui Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China, and
| | - Fan Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qingqing Hu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China, and
| | - Huichun Tong
- From the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China, .,School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China, and
| | - Xiuzhu Dong
- From the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China, .,School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China, and
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23
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Huang X, Shin JH, Pinochet-Barros A, Su TT, Helmann JD. Bacillus subtilis MntR coordinates the transcriptional regulation of manganese uptake and efflux systems. Mol Microbiol 2016; 103:253-268. [PMID: 27748968 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The Bacillus subtilis MntR metalloregulatory protein senses manganese, an essential element required for central metabolism, oxidative stress resistance and replication. An mntR null mutant is highly sensitive to Mn(II) intoxication, which is attributed in part to the constitutive expression of two importers: the proton-dependent NRAMP family transporter MntH and the ABC transporter MntABCD. Here, we show that an mntR null mutant is still sensitive to Mn(II) intoxication even if both of the import systems are absent. This Mn(II) sensitivity results from the requirement for MntR to activate the transcription of two genes encoding cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family efflux pumps. Physiological studies indicate that MneP (formerly YdfM) serves as the primary Mn(II) efflux pump with MneS (formerly YeaB) playing a secondary role. Mutant strains lacking mneP are Mn(II) sensitive and accumulate elevated levels of Mn(II), and these effects are exacerbated in a mneP mneS double mutant. DNA-binding and in vitro transcription studies demonstrate that MntR binds to both the mneP and mneS regulatory regions and directly activates transcription in response to levels of Mn(II) several-fold higher than required for repression of import genes. These results highlight the delicate balance of Mn(II) uptake and efflux systems controlled by MntR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Huang
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, 14853-8101, USA
| | - Jung-Ho Shin
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, 14853-8101, USA
| | | | - Tina T Su
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, 14853-8101, USA
| | - John D Helmann
- Cornell University, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY, 14853-8101, USA
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24
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Fang FC, Frawley ER, Tapscott T, Vázquez-Torres A. Discrimination and Integration of Stress Signals by Pathogenic Bacteria. Cell Host Microbe 2016; 20:144-153. [PMID: 27512902 PMCID: PMC5111874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
For pathogenic bacteria, the ability to sense and respond to environmental stresses encountered within the host is critically important, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions and express virulence genes appropriately. This review considers the diverse molecular mechanisms by which stress conditions are sensed by bacteria, how related signals are discriminated, and how stress responses are integrated, highlighting recent studies in selected bacterial pathogens of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferric C Fang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Elaine R Frawley
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Timothy Tapscott
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Andrés Vázquez-Torres
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA
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25
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Yu WB, Ye BC. Transcriptional Profiling Analysis of Bacillus subtilis in Response to High Levels of Fe(3.). Curr Microbiol 2016; 72:653-62. [PMID: 26858131 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-016-0998-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Iron is essential to microorganisms for its important biological function but could be highly toxic in excess. We have used genome-wide transcriptional analysis in Fe(3+)-treated (4 mM) Bacillus subtilis to reveal the effect of excess Fe(3+) on B. subtilis and characterized the potential pathways involved in Fe(3+) stress tolerance. A total of 366 and 400 genes were identified as significantly up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. We found excess Fe(3+) had four major influences on B. subtilis: Fe(3+) resulted in oxidative stress and induced genes involved in oxidative stress resistance including the SigB-regulated genes, but the PerR regulon was not inducible in Fe(3+)-mediated oxidative stress except zosA; Fe(3+) significantly disturbed homeostasis of Mn(2+) and Zn(2+), and the mechanism was proposed in this article; the acidity of Fe(3+)-induced genes involved in acid consuming and production of bases and shifted B. subtilis to carbon starvation state; Fe(3+)-induced genes related to membrane remodeling (bkd operon), which prevents Fe(3+)'s incorporation to membrane lipids. Moreover, Fe(3+) repressed the stringent control response, consistent with the induction of stringent control in iron limitation, demonstrating that iron might be a signal in stringent control of B. subtilis. This study was the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic response of B. subtilis to ecxess Fe(3+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bang Yu
- Lab of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Meilong RD 130, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Lab of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Meilong RD 130, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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26
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Tortosa V, di Patti MCB, Musci G, Polticelli F. The human iron exporter ferroportin. Insight into the transport mechanism by molecular modeling. BIO-ALGORITHMS AND MED-SYSTEMS 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/bams-2015-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFerroportin, a membrane protein belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters, is the only vertebrate iron exporter known so far. Several ferroportin mutations lead to the so-called ferroportin disease or type 4 hemochromatosis, characterized by two distinct iron accumulation phenotypes depending on whether the mutation affects the activity of the protein or its degradation pathway. Through extensive molecular modeling analyses using the structure of all known major facilitator superfamily members as templates, multiple structural models of ferroportin in the three mechanistically relevant conformations (inward open, occluded, and outward open) have been obtained. The best models, selected on the ground of experimental data available on wild-type and mutant ferroportion, provide for the first time a prediction at the atomic level of the dynamics of the transporter. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for iron export is proposed.
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27
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Interactions of the Metalloregulatory Protein SloR from Streptococcus mutans with Its Metal Ion Effectors and DNA Binding Site. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:3601-15. [PMID: 26350131 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00612-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Streptococcus mutans is the causative agent of dental caries, a significant concern for human health, and therefore an attractive target for therapeutics development. Previous work in our laboratory has identified a homodimeric, manganese-dependent repressor protein, SloR, as an important regulator of cariogenesis and has used site-directed mutagenesis to map functions to specific regions of the protein. Here we extend those studies to better understand the structural interaction between SloR and its operator and its effector metal ions. The results of DNase I assays indicate that SloR protects a 42-bp region of DNA that overlaps the sloABC promoter on the S. mutans UA159 chromosome, while electrophoretic mobility shift and solution binding assays indicate that each of two SloR dimers binds to this region. Real-time semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (real-time semi-qRT-PCR) experiments were used to determine the individual base pairs that contribute to SloR-DNA binding specificity. Solution studies indicate that Mn(2+) is better than Zn(2+) at specifically activating SloR to bind DNA, and yet the 2.8-Å resolved crystal structure of SloR bound to Zn(2+) provides insight into the means by which selective activation by Mn(2+) may be achieved and into how SloR may form specific interactions with its operator. Taken together, these experimental observations are significant because they can inform rational drug design aimed at alleviating and/or preventing S. mutans-induced caries formation. IMPORTANCE This report focuses on investigating the SloR protein as a regulator of essential metal ion transport and virulence gene expression in the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans and on revealing the details of SloR binding to its metal ion effectors and binding to DNA that together facilitate this expression. We used molecular and biochemical approaches to characterize the interaction of SloR with Mn(2+) and with its SloR recognition element to gain a clearer picture of the regulatory networks that optimize SloR-mediated metal ion homeostasis and virulence gene expression in S. mutans. These experiments can have a significant impact on caries treatment and/or prevention by revealing the S. mutans SloR-DNA binding interface as an appropriate target for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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Manzoor I, Shafeeq S, Kloosterman TG, Kuipers OP. Co(2+)-dependent gene expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae: opposite effect of Mn(2+) and Co(2+) on the expression of the virulence genes psaBCA, pcpA, and prtA. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:748. [PMID: 26257722 PMCID: PMC4513243 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese (Mn(2+))-, zinc (Zn(2+))- and copper (Cu(2+)) play significant roles in transcriptional gene regulation, physiology, and virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae. So far, the effect of the important transition metal ion cobalt (Co(2+)) on gene expression of S. pneumoniae has not yet been explored. Here, we study the impact of Co(2+) stress on the transcriptome of S. pneumoniae strain D39. BLAST searches revealed that the genome of S. pneumoniae encodes a putative Co(2+)-transport operon (cbi operon), the expression of which we show here to be induced by a high Co(2+) concentration. Furthermore, we found that Co(2+), as has been shown previously for Zn(2+), can cause derepression of the genes of the PsaR virulence regulon, encoding the Mn(2+)-uptake system PsaBCA, the choline binding protein PcpA and the cell-wall associated serine protease PrtA. Interestingly, although Mn(2+) represses expression of the PsaR regulon and Co(2+) leads to derepression, both metal ions stimulate interaction of PsaR with its target promoters. These data will be discussed in the light of previous studies on similar metal-responsive transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Manzoor
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Sulman Shafeeq
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sweden
| | - Tomas G Kloosterman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
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Fernandez-López R, Ruiz R, de la Cruz F, Moncalián G. Transcription factor-based biosensors enlightened by the analyte. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:648. [PMID: 26191047 PMCID: PMC4486848 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole cell biosensors (WCBs) have multiple applications for environmental monitoring, detecting a wide range of pollutants. WCBs depend critically on the sensitivity and specificity of the transcription factor (TF) used to detect the analyte. We describe the mechanism of regulation and the structural and biochemical properties of TF families that are used, or could be used, for the development of environmental WCBs. Focusing on the chemical nature of the analyte, we review TFs that respond to aromatic compounds (XylS-AraC, XylR-NtrC, and LysR), metal ions (MerR, ArsR, DtxR, Fur, and NikR) or antibiotics (TetR and MarR). Analyzing the structural domains involved in DNA recognition, we highlight the similitudes in the DNA binding domains (DBDs) of these TF families. Opposite to DBDs, the wide range of analytes detected by TFs results in a diversity of structures at the effector binding domain. The modular architecture of TFs opens the possibility of engineering TFs with hybrid DNA and effector specificities. Yet, the lack of a crisp correlation between structural domains and specific functions makes this a challenging task.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gabriel Moncalián
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSantander, Spain
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Osman D, Piergentili C, Chen J, Chakrabarti B, Foster AW, Lurie-Luke E, Huggins TG, Robinson NJ. Generating a Metal-responsive Transcriptional Regulator to Test What Confers Metal Sensing in Cells. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:19806-22. [PMID: 26109070 PMCID: PMC4528141 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.663427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
FrmR from Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (a CsoR/RcnR-like transcriptional de-repressor) is shown to repress the frmRA operator-promoter, and repression is alleviated by formaldehyde but not manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, or Zn(II) within cells. In contrast, repression by a mutant FrmRE64H (which gains an RcnR metal ligand) is alleviated by cobalt and Zn(II). Unexpectedly, FrmR was found to already bind Co(II), Zn(II), and Cu(I), and moreover metals, as well as formaldehyde, trigger an allosteric response that weakens DNA affinity. However, the sensory metal sites of the cells' endogenous metal sensors (RcnR, ZntR, Zur, and CueR) are all tighter than FrmR for their cognate metals. Furthermore, the endogenous metal sensors are shown to out-compete FrmR. The metal-sensing FrmRE64H mutant has tighter metal affinities than FrmR by approximately 1 order of magnitude. Gain of cobalt sensing by FrmRE64H remains enigmatic because the cobalt affinity of FrmRE64H is substantially weaker than that of the endogenous cobalt sensor. Cobalt sensing requires glutathione, which may assist cobalt access, conferring a kinetic advantage. For Zn(II), the metal affinity of FrmRE64H approaches the metal affinities of cognate Zn(II) sensors. Counter-intuitively, the allosteric coupling free energy for Zn(II) is smaller in metal-sensing FrmRE64H compared with nonsensing FrmR. By determining the copies of FrmR and FrmRE64H tetramers per cell, then estimating promoter occupancy as a function of intracellular Zn(II) concentration, we show how a modest tightening of Zn(II) affinity, plus weakened DNA affinity of the apoprotein, conspires to make the relative properties of FrmRE64H (compared with ZntR and Zur) sufficient to sense Zn(II) inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deenah Osman
- From the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Piergentili
- From the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Junjun Chen
- Procter and Gamble, Mason Business Centre, Cincinnati, Ohio 45040, and
| | - Buddhapriya Chakrabarti
- From the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W Foster
- From the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Lurie-Luke
- Life Sciences Open Innovation, London Innovation Centre, Procter and Gamble Technical Centres, Ltd., Egham TW20 9NW, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas G Huggins
- Procter and Gamble, Mason Business Centre, Cincinnati, Ohio 45040, and
| | - Nigel J Robinson
- From the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom,
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31
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Ciccone L, Vera L, Tepshi L, Rosalia L, Rossello A, Stura EA. Multicomponent mixtures for cryoprotection and ligand solubilization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [PMID: 28626721 PMCID: PMC5466044 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Mixed cryoprotectants have been developed for the solubilization of ligands for crystallization of protein–ligand complexes and for crystal soaking. Low affinity lead compounds with poor solubility are problematic for structural studies. Complete ligand solubilization is required for co-crystallization and crystal soaking experiments to obtain interpretable electron density maps for the ligand. Mixed cryo-preserving compounds are needed prior to X-ray data collection to reduce radiation damage at synchrotron sources. Here we present dual-use mixes that act as cryoprotectants and also promote the aqueous solubility of hydrophobic ligands. Unlike glycerol that increases protein solubility and can cause crystal melting the mixed solutions of cryo-preserving compounds that include precipitants and solubilizers, allow for worry-free crystal preservation while simultaneously solubilizing relatively hydrophobic ligands, typical of ligands obtained in high-throughput screening. The effectiveness of these mixture has been confirmed on a human transthyretin crystals both during crystallization and in flash freezing of crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ciccone
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France.,Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Vera
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France
| | - Livia Tepshi
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France.,Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lea Rosalia
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France.,Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Rossello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico A Stura
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France
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Helmann JD. Specificity of metal sensing: iron and manganese homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:28112-20. [PMID: 25160631 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r114.587071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metalloregulatory proteins allow cells to sense metal ions and appropriately adjust the expression of metal uptake, storage, and efflux pathways. Bacillus subtilis provides a model for the coordinate regulation of iron and manganese homeostasis that involves three key regulators: Fur senses iron sufficiency, MntR senses manganese sufficiency, and PerR senses the intracellular Fe/Mn ratio. Here, I review the structural and physiological bases of selective metal perception, the effects of non-cognate metals, and mechanisms that may serve to coordinate iron and manganese homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Helmann
- From the Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101
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Yeo HK, Park YW, Lee JY. Structural analysis and insight into metal-ion activation of the iron-dependent regulator fromThermoplasma acidophilum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 70:1281-8. [DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714004118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The iron-dependent regulator (IdeR) is a metal ion-activated transcriptional repressor that regulates the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in iron uptake to maintain metal-ion homeostasis. IdeR is a functional homologue of the diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR), and both belong to the DtxR/MntR family of metalloregulators. The structure of Fe2+-bound IdeR (TA0872) fromThemoplasma acidophilumwas determined at 2.1 Å resolution by X-ray crystallography using single-wavelength anomalous diffraction. The presence of Fe2+, which is the true biological activator of IdeR, in the metal-binding site was ascertained by the use of anomalous difference electron-density maps using diffraction data collected at the Fe absorption edge. Each DtxR/IdeR subunit contains two metal ion-binding sites separated by 9 Å, labelled the primary and ancillary sites, whereas the crystal structures of IdeR fromT. acidophilumshow a binuclear iron cluster separated by 3.2 Å, which is novel toT. acidophilumIdeR. The metal-binding site analogous to the primary site in DtxR was unoccupied, and the ancillary site was occupied by binuclear clustered ions. This difference suggests thatT. acidophilumIdeR and its closely related homologues are regulated by a mechanism distinct from that of either DtxR or MntR.T. acidophilumIdeR was also shown to have a metal-dependent DNA-binding property by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.
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Lisher JP, Higgins KA, Maroney MJ, Giedroc DP. Physical characterization of the manganese-sensing pneumococcal surface antigen repressor from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Biochemistry 2013; 52:7689-701. [PMID: 24067066 DOI: 10.1021/bi401132w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Transition metals, including manganese, are required for the proper virulence and persistence of many pathogenic bacteria. In Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), manganese homeostasis is controlled by a high-affinity Mn(II) uptake complex, PsaBCA, and a constitutively expressed efflux transporter, MntE. psaBCA expression is transcriptionally regulated by the DtxR/MntR family metalloregulatory protein pneumococcal surface antigen repressor (PsaR) in Spn. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the metal and DNA binding properties of PsaR. PsaR is a homodimer in the absence and presence of metals and binds two manganese or zinc atoms per protomer (four per dimer) in two pairs of structurally distinct sites, termed site 1 and site 2. Site 1 is likely filled with Zn(II) in vivo (K(Zn1) ≥ 10¹³ M⁻¹; K(Mn1) ≈ 10⁸ M⁻¹). The Zn(II)-site 1 complex adopts a pentacoordinate geometry as determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy containing a single cysteine and appears to be analogous to the Cd(II) site observed in Streptococcus gordonii ScaR. Site 1 is necessary but not sufficient for full positive allosteric activation of DNA operator binding by metals as measured by ΔGc, the allosteric coupling free energy, because site 1 mutants show an intermediate ΔGc. Site 2 is the primary regulatory site and governs specificity for Mn(II) over Zn(II) in PsaR, where ΔGc(Zn,Mn) >> ΔGc(Zn,Zn) despite the fact that Zn(II) binds site 2 with an affinity 40-fold higher than that of Mn(II); i.e., K(Zn2) > K(Mn2). Mutational studies reveal that Asp7 in site 2 is a critical ligand for Mn(II)-dependent allosteric activation of DNA binding. These findings are discussed in the context of other well-studied DtxR/MntR Mn(II)/Fe(II) metallorepressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Lisher
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
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Merchant AT, Spatafora GA. A role for the DtxR family of metalloregulators in gram-positive pathogenesis. Mol Oral Microbiol 2013; 29:1-10. [PMID: 24034418 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Given the central role of transition metal ions in a variety of biochemical processes, the colonization, survival, and proliferation of a bacterium within a host hinges upon its ability to overcome the metal ion deprivation that characterizes nutritional immunity. Metalloregulatory, or 'metal-sensing' proteins have evolved in bacteria to mediate metal ion homeostasis by activating or repressing the expression of genes encoding metal ion transport systems upon binding their cognate metal ion. Yet increasing evidence in the literature supports an additional role for these metalloregulatory proteins in pathogenesis. Herein, we survey studies on the DtxR family of metalloregulators, namely DtxR (Cornyebacterium diphtheriae), SloR (Streptococcus mutans), MtsR (Streptococcus pyogenes), and MntR (Staphylococcus aureus) to describe how metalloregulation enables adaptive virulence gene expression within the mammalian host. This research has important implications for drug design, as the generation of hyper-repressive metalloregulatory proteins may represent a mechanism by which to attenuate bacterial pathogenicity. The fact that metalloregulators are unique to prokaryotes makes these proteins especially attractive therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Merchant
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, USA
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