1
|
Shine M, Gordon J, Schärfen L, Zigackova D, Herzel L, Neugebauer KM. Co-transcriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:534-554. [PMID: 38509203 PMCID: PMC11199108 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00706-2] [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] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Many steps of RNA processing occur during transcription by RNA polymerases. Co-transcriptional activities are deemed commonplace in prokaryotes, in which the lack of membrane barriers allows mixing of all gene expression steps, from transcription to translation. In the past decade, an extraordinary level of coordination between transcription and RNA processing has emerged in eukaryotes. In this Review, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of co-transcriptional gene regulation in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, comparing methodologies and mechanisms, and highlight striking parallels in how RNA polymerases interact with the machineries that act on nascent RNA. The development of RNA sequencing and imaging techniques that detect transient transcription and RNA processing intermediates has facilitated discoveries of transcription coordination with splicing, 3'-end cleavage and dynamic RNA folding and revealed physical contacts between processing machineries and RNA polymerases. Such studies indicate that intron retention in a given nascent transcript can prevent 3'-end cleavage and cause transcriptional readthrough, which is a hallmark of eukaryotic cellular stress responses. We also discuss how coordination between nascent RNA biogenesis and transcription drives fundamental aspects of gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Shine
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jackson Gordon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Leonard Schärfen
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dagmar Zigackova
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lydia Herzel
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Karla M Neugebauer
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Saba J, Flores K, Marshall B, Engstrom MD, Peng Y, Garje AS, Comstock L, Landick R. Bacteroides expand the functional versatility of a universal transcription factor and transcribed DNA to program capsule diversity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.21.599965. [PMID: 38948710 PMCID: PMC11213015 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.21.599965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Human gut Bacteroides species encode numerous (eight or more) tightly regulated capsular polysaccharides (CPS). Specialized paralogs of the universal transcription elongation factor NusG, called UpxY (Y), and an anti-Y UpxZ (Z) are encoded by the first two genes of each CPS operon. The Y-Z regulators combine with promoter inversions to limit CPS transcription to a single operon in most cells. Y enhances transcript elongation whereas Z inhibits noncognate Ys. How Y distinguishes among cognate CPS operons and how Z inhibits only noncognate Ys are unknown. Using in-vivo nascent-RNA sequencing and promoter-less in vitro transcription (PIVoT), we establish that Y recognizes a paused RNA polymerase via sequences in both the exposed non-template DNA and the upstream duplex DNA. Y association is aided by novel 'pause-then-escape' nascent RNA hairpins. Z binds non-cognate Ys to directly inhibit Y association. This Y-Z hierarchical regulatory program allows Bacteroides to create CPS subpopulations for optimal fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Saba
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Katia Flores
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bailey Marshall
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Michael D. Engstrom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yikai Peng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Atharv S. Garje
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Genetics Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Laurie Comstock
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Robert Landick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barrault M, Chabelskaya S, Coronel-Tellez RH, Toffano-Nioche C, Jacquet E, Bouloc P. Staphylococcal aconitase expression during iron deficiency is controlled by an sRNA-driven feedforward loop and moonlighting activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae506. [PMID: 38869061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria employ complex systems to cope with metal ion shortage conditions and propagate in the host. IsrR is a regulatory RNA (sRNA) whose activity is decisive for optimum Staphylococcus aureus fitness upon iron starvation and for full virulence. IsrR down-regulates several genes encoding iron-containing enzymes to spare iron for essential processes. Here, we report that IsrR regulates the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by controlling aconitase (CitB), an iron-sulfur cluster-containing enzyme, and its transcriptional regulator, CcpE. This IsrR-dependent dual-regulatory mechanism provides an RNA-driven feedforward loop, underscoring the tight control required to prevent aconitase expression. Beyond its canonical enzymatic role, aconitase becomes an RNA-binding protein with regulatory activity in iron-deprived conditions, a feature that is conserved in S. aureus. Aconitase not only negatively regulates its own expression, but also impacts the enzymes involved in both its substrate supply and product utilization. This moonlighting activity concurrently upregulates pyruvate carboxylase expression, allowing it to compensate for the TCA cycle deficiency associated with iron scarcity. These results highlight the cascade of complex posttranscriptional regulations controlling S. aureus central metabolism in response to iron deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Barrault
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Svetlana Chabelskaya
- Université de Rennes 1, BRM (Bacterial regulatory RNAs and Medicine) UMR_S 1230, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Rodrigo H Coronel-Tellez
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Claire Toffano-Nioche
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Eric Jacquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR2301, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Bouloc
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim S, Wang YH, Hassan A, Kim S. Re-defining how mRNA degradation is coordinated with transcription and translation in bacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.18.588412. [PMID: 38659903 PMCID: PMC11042359 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.588412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, transcription, translation, and mRNA degradation occur in distinct subcellular regions. How these mRNA processes are organized in bacteria, without employing membrane-bound compartments, remains unclear. Here, we present generalizable principles underlying coordination between these processes in bacteria. In Escherichia coli, we found that co-transcriptional degradation is rare for mRNAs except for those encoding inner membrane proteins, due to membrane localization of the main ribonuclease, RNase E. We further found, by varying ribosome binding sequences, that translation affects mRNA stability not because ribosomes protect mRNA from degradation, but because low translation leads to premature transcription termination in the absence of transcription-translation coupling. Extending our analyses to Bacillus subtilis and Caulobacter crescentus, we established subcellular localization of RNase E (or its homolog) and premature transcription termination in the absence of transcription-translation coupling as key determinants that explain differences in transcriptional and translational coupling to mRNA degradation across genes and species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyeon Kim
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Yu-Huan Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Albur Hassan
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sangjin Kim
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iturbe P, Martín AS, Hamamoto H, Marcet-Houben M, Galbaldón T, Solano C, Lasa I. Noncontiguous operon atlas for the Staphylococcus aureus genome. MICROLIFE 2024; 5:uqae007. [PMID: 38651166 PMCID: PMC11034616 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria synchronize the expression of genes with related functions by organizing genes into operons so that they are cotranscribed together in a single polycistronic messenger RNA. However, some cellular processes may benefit if the simultaneous production of the operon proteins coincides with the inhibition of the expression of an antagonist gene. To coordinate such situations, bacteria have evolved noncontiguous operons (NcOs), a subtype of operons that contain one or more genes that are transcribed in the opposite direction to the other operon genes. This structure results in overlapping transcripts whose expression is mutually repressed. The presence of NcOs cannot be predicted computationally and their identification requires a detailed knowledge of the bacterial transcriptome. In this study, we used direct RNA sequencing methodology to determine the NcOs map in the Staphylococcus aureus genome. We detected the presence of 18 NcOs in the genome of S. aureus and four in the genome of the lysogenic prophage 80α. The identified NcOs comprise genes involved in energy metabolism, metal acquisition and transport, toxin-antitoxin systems, and control of the phage life cycle. Using the menaquinone operon as a proof of concept, we show that disarrangement of the NcO architecture results in a reduction of bacterial fitness due to an increase in menaquinone levels and a decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption. Our study demonstrates the significance of NcO structures in bacterial physiology and emphasizes the importance of combining operon maps with transcriptomic data to uncover previously unnoticed functional relationships between neighbouring genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Iturbe
- Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis, Navarrabiomed-Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA)-Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), IdiSNA, Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Alvaro San Martín
- Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis, Navarrabiomed-Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA)-Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), IdiSNA, Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Hiroshi Hamamoto
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious diseases, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Lida-Nishi, 990-9585 Yamagata, Japan
| | - Marina Marcet-Houben
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS). Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Galbaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS). Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Solano
- Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis, Navarrabiomed-Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA)-Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), IdiSNA, Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Iñigo Lasa
- Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis, Navarrabiomed-Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA)-Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), IdiSNA, Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ghosh T, Jahangirnejad S, Chauvier A, Stringer AM, Korepanov AP, Côté JP, Wade JT, Lafontaine DA. Direct and indirect control of Rho-dependent transcription termination by the Escherichia coli lysC riboswitch. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:381-391. [PMID: 38253429 PMCID: PMC10946432 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079779.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial riboswitches are molecular structures that play a crucial role in controlling gene expression to maintain cellular balance. The Escherichia coli lysC riboswitch has been previously shown to regulate gene expression through translation initiation and mRNA decay. Recent research suggests that lysC gene expression is also influenced by Rho-dependent transcription termination. Through a series of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, we provide experimental evidence that the lysC riboswitch directly and indirectly modulates Rho transcription termination. Our study demonstrates that Rho-dependent transcription termination plays a significant role in the cotranscriptional regulation of lysC expression. Together with previous studies, our work suggests that lysC expression is governed by a lysine-sensing riboswitch that regulates translation initiation, transcription termination, and mRNA degradation. Notably, both Rho and RNase E target the same region of the RNA molecule, implying that RNase E may degrade Rho-terminated transcripts, providing a means to selectively eliminate these incomplete messenger RNAs. Overall, this study sheds light on the complex regulatory mechanisms used by bacterial riboswitches, emphasizing the role of transcription termination in the control of gene expression and mRNA stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tithi Ghosh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Shirin Jahangirnejad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Adrien Chauvier
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Anne M Stringer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12208, USA
| | - Alexey P Korepanov
- Expression Génétique Microbienne, UMR8261 CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean Phillippe Côté
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Joseph T Wade
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York 12201, USA
| | - Daniel A Lafontaine
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, RNA Group, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aseev LV, Koledinskaya LS, Boni IV. Extraribosomal Functions of Bacterial Ribosomal Proteins-An Update, 2023. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2957. [PMID: 38474204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052957] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) are abundant, highly conserved, and multifaceted cellular proteins in all domains of life. Most r-proteins have RNA-binding properties and can form protein-protein contacts. Bacterial r-proteins govern the co-transcriptional rRNA folding during ribosome assembly and participate in the formation of the ribosome functional sites, such as the mRNA-binding site, tRNA-binding sites, the peptidyl transferase center, and the protein exit tunnel. In addition to their primary role in a cell as integral components of the protein synthesis machinery, many r-proteins can function beyond the ribosome (the phenomenon known as moonlighting), acting either as individual regulatory proteins or in complexes with various cellular components. The extraribosomal activities of r-proteins have been studied over the decades. In the past decade, our understanding of r-protein functions has advanced significantly due to intensive studies on ribosomes and gene expression mechanisms not only in model bacteria like Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis but also in little-explored bacterial species from various phyla. The aim of this review is to update information on the multiple functions of r-proteins in bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonid V Aseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Irina V Boni
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Olenginski LT, Spradlin SF, Batey RT. Flipping the script: Understanding riboswitches from an alternative perspective. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105730. [PMID: 38336293 PMCID: PMC10907184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105730] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Riboswitches are broadly distributed regulatory elements most frequently found in the 5'-leader sequence of bacterial mRNAs that regulate gene expression in response to the binding of a small molecule effector. The occupancy status of the ligand-binding aptamer domain manipulates downstream information in the message that instructs the expression machinery. Currently, there are over 55 validated riboswitch classes, where each class is defined based on the identity of the ligand it binds and/or sequence and structure conservation patterns within the aptamer domain. This classification reflects an "aptamer-centric" perspective that dominates our understanding of riboswitches. In this review, we propose a conceptual framework that groups riboswitches based on the mechanism by which RNA manipulates information directly instructing the expression machinery. This scheme does not replace the established aptamer domain-based classification of riboswitches but rather serves to facilitate hypothesis-driven investigation of riboswitch regulatory mechanisms. Based on current bioinformatic, structural, and biochemical studies of a broad spectrum of riboswitches, we propose three major mechanistic groups: (1) "direct occlusion", (2) "interdomain docking", and (3) "strand exchange". We discuss the defining features of each group, present representative examples of riboswitches from each group, and illustrate how these RNAs couple small molecule binding to gene regulation. While mechanistic studies of the occlusion and docking groups have yielded compelling models for how these riboswitches function, much less is known about strand exchange processes. To conclude, we outline the limitations of our mechanism-based conceptual framework and discuss how critical information within riboswitch expression platforms can inform gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert T Batey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ju X, Li S, Froom R, Wang L, Lilic M, Delbeau M, Campbell EA, Rock JM, Liu S. Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome. Nature 2024; 627:424-430. [PMID: 38418874 PMCID: PMC10937400 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07105-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease that is responsible for major health and economic costs worldwide1. Mtb encounters diverse environments during its life cycle and responds to these changes largely by reprogramming its transcriptional output2. However, the mechanisms of Mtb transcription and how they are regulated remain poorly understood. Here we use a sequencing method that simultaneously determines both termini of individual RNA molecules in bacterial cells3 to profile the Mtb transcriptome at high resolution. Unexpectedly, we find that most Mtb transcripts are incomplete, with their 5' ends aligned at transcription start sites and 3' ends located 200-500 nucleotides downstream. We show that these short RNAs are mainly associated with paused RNA polymerases (RNAPs) rather than being products of premature termination. We further show that the high propensity of Mtb RNAP to pause early in transcription relies on the binding of the σ-factor. Finally, we show that a translating ribosome promotes transcription elongation, revealing a potential role for transcription-translation coupling in controlling Mtb gene expression. In sum, our findings depict a mycobacterial transcriptome that prominently features incomplete transcripts resulting from RNAP pausing. We propose that the pausing phase constitutes an important transcriptional checkpoint in Mtb that allows the bacterium to adapt to environmental changes and could be exploited for TB therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwu Ju
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuqi Li
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruby Froom
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ling Wang
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mirjana Lilic
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Madeleine Delbeau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy M Rock
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Shixin Liu
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hong HR, Prince CR, Tetreault DD, Wu L, Feaga HA. YfmR is a translation factor that prevents ribosome stalling and cell death in the absence of EF-P. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314437121. [PMID: 38349882 PMCID: PMC10895253 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314437121] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis is performed by the ribosome and a host of highly conserved elongation factors. Elongation factor P (EF-P) prevents ribosome stalling at difficult-to-translate sequences, such as polyproline tracts. In bacteria, phenotypes associated with efp deletion range from modest to lethal, suggesting that some species encode an additional translation factor that has similar function to EF-P. Here we identify YfmR as a translation factor that is essential in the absence of EF-P in Bacillus subtilis. YfmR is an ABCF ATPase that is closely related to both Uup and EttA, ABCFs that bind the ribosomal E-site and are conserved in more than 50% of bacterial genomes. We show that YfmR associates with actively translating ribosomes and that depleting YfmR from Δefp cells causes severe ribosome stalling at a polyproline tract in vivo. YfmR depletion from Δefp cells was lethal and caused reduced levels of actively translating ribosomes. Our results therefore identify YfmR as an important translation factor that is essential in B. subtilis in the absence of EF-P.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Rim Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | | | | | - Letian Wu
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lou Y, Woodson SA. Co-transcriptional folding of the glmS ribozyme enables a rapid response to metabolite. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:872-884. [PMID: 38000388 PMCID: PMC10810187 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1120] [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] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The glmS ribozyme riboswitch, located in the 5' untranslated region of the Bacillus subtilis glmS messenger RNA (mRNA), regulates cell wall biosynthesis through ligand-induced self-cleavage and decay of the glmS mRNA. Although self-cleavage of the refolded glmS ribozyme has been studied extensively, it is not known how early the ribozyme folds and self-cleaves during transcription. Here, we combine single-molecule fluorescence with kinetic modeling to show that self-cleavage can occur during transcription before the ribozyme is fully synthesized. Moreover, co-transcriptional folding of the RNA at a physiological elongation rate allows the ribozyme catalytic core to react without the downstream peripheral stability domain. Dimethyl sulfate footprinting further revealed how slow sequential folding favors formation of the native core structure through fraying of misfolded helices and nucleation of a native pseudoknot. Ribozyme self-cleavage at an early stage of transcription may benefit glmS regulation in B. subtilis, as it exposes the mRNA to exoribonuclease before translation of the open reading frame can begin. Our results emphasize the importance of co-transcriptional folding of RNA tertiary structure for cis-regulation of mRNA stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Lou
- T.C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sarah A Woodson
- T.C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chauvier A, Walter NG. Regulation of bacterial gene expression by non-coding RNA: It is all about time! Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:71-85. [PMID: 38211587 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Commensal and pathogenic bacteria continuously evolve to survive in diverse ecological niches by efficiently coordinating gene expression levels in their ever-changing environments. Regulation through the RNA transcript itself offers a faster and more cost-effective way to adapt than protein-based mechanisms and can be leveraged for diagnostic or antimicrobial purposes. However, RNA can fold into numerous intricate, not always functional structures that both expand and obscure the plethora of roles that regulatory RNAs serve within the cell. Here, we review the current knowledge of bacterial non-coding RNAs in relation to their folding pathways and interactions. We posit that co-transcriptional folding of these transcripts ultimately dictates their downstream functions. Elucidating the spatiotemporal folding of non-coding RNAs during transcription therefore provides invaluable insights into bacterial pathogeneses and predictive disease diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the implications of co-transcriptional folding andapplications of RNAs for therapeutics and drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Chauvier
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carrasco B, Torres R, Moreno-del Álamo M, Ramos C, Ayora S, Alonso JC. Processing of stalled replication forks in Bacillus subtilis. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuad065. [PMID: 38052445 PMCID: PMC10804225 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad065] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate DNA replication and transcription elongation are crucial for preventing the accumulation of unreplicated DNA and genomic instability. Cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to deal with impaired replication fork progression, challenged by both intrinsic and extrinsic impediments. The bacterium Bacillus subtilis, which adopts multiple forms of differentiation and development, serves as an excellent model system for studying the pathways required to cope with replication stress to preserve genomic stability. This review focuses on the genetics, single molecule choreography, and biochemical properties of the proteins that act to circumvent the replicative arrest allowing the resumption of DNA synthesis. The RecA recombinase, its mediators (RecO, RecR, and RadA/Sms) and modulators (RecF, RecX, RarA, RecU, RecD2, and PcrA), repair licensing (DisA), fork remodelers (RuvAB, RecG, RecD2, RadA/Sms, and PriA), Holliday junction resolvase (RecU), nucleases (RnhC and DinG), and translesion synthesis DNA polymerases (PolY1 and PolY2) are key functions required to overcome a replication stress, provided that the fork does not collapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Carrasco
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Torres
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Moreno-del Álamo
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ramos
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Ayora
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan C Alonso
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, 3 Darwin Str, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Baum B, Spang A. On the origin of the nucleus: a hypothesis. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0018621. [PMID: 38018971 PMCID: PMC10732040 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00186-21] [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: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYIn this hypothesis article, we explore the origin of the eukaryotic nucleus. In doing so, we first look afresh at the nature of this defining feature of the eukaryotic cell and its core functions-emphasizing the utility of seeing the eukaryotic nucleoplasm and cytoplasm as distinct regions of a common compartment. We then discuss recent progress in understanding the evolution of the eukaryotic cell from archaeal and bacterial ancestors, focusing on phylogenetic and experimental data which have revealed that many eukaryotic machines with nuclear activities have archaeal counterparts. In addition, we review the literature describing the cell biology of representatives of the TACK and Asgardarchaeaota - the closest known living archaeal relatives of eukaryotes. Finally, bringing these strands together, we propose a model for the archaeal origin of the nucleus that explains much of the current data, including predictions that can be used to put the model to the test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Buzz Baum
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Spang
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
- Department of Evolutionary & Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hong HR, Prince CR, Tetreault DD, Wu L, Feaga HA. YfmR is a translation factor that prevents ribosome stalling and cell death in the absence of EF-P. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.552005. [PMID: 37577462 PMCID: PMC10418254 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.552005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis is performed by the ribosome and a host of highly conserved elongation factors. Elongation factor P (EF-P) prevents ribosome stalling at difficult-to-translate sequences, particularly polyproline tracts. In bacteria, phenotypes associated with efp deletion range from modest to lethal, suggesting that some species encode an additional translation factor that has similar function to EF-P. Here we identify YfmR as a translation factor that is essential in the absence of EF-P in B. subtilis. YfmR is an ABCF ATPase that is closely related to both Uup and EttA, ABCFs that bind the ribosomal E-site and are conserved in more than 50% of bacterial genomes. We show that YfmR associates with actively translating ribosomes and that depleting YfmR from Δefp cells causes severe ribosome stalling at a polyproline tract in vivo. YfmR depletion from Δefp cells was lethal, and caused reduced levels of actively translating ribosomes. Our results therefore identify YfmR as an important translation factor that is essential in B. subtilis in the absence of EF-P.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Rim Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | | | - Letian Wu
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Heather A. Feaga
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tišma M, Janissen R, Antar H, Martin-Gonzalez A, Barth R, Beekman T, van der Torre J, Michieletto D, Gruber S, Dekker C. Dynamic ParB-DNA interactions initiate and maintain a partition condensate for bacterial chromosome segregation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11856-11875. [PMID: 37850647 PMCID: PMC10681803 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In most bacteria, chromosome segregation is driven by the ParABS system where the CTPase protein ParB loads at the parS site to trigger the formation of a large partition complex. Here, we present in vitro studies of the partition complex for Bacillus subtilis ParB, using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and AFM imaging to show that transient ParB-ParB bridges are essential for forming DNA condensates. Molecular Dynamics simulations confirm that condensation occurs abruptly at a critical concentration of ParB and show that multimerization is a prerequisite for forming the partition complex. Magnetic tweezer force spectroscopy on mutant ParB proteins demonstrates that CTP hydrolysis at the N-terminal domain is essential for DNA condensation. Finally, we show that transcribing RNA polymerases can steadily traverse the ParB-DNA partition complex. These findings uncover how ParB forms a stable yet dynamic partition complex for chromosome segregation that induces DNA condensation and segregation while enabling replication and transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Tišma
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Janissen
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Hammam Antar
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Martin-Gonzalez
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Roman Barth
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Twan Beekman
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jaco van der Torre
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Davide Michieletto
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephan Gruber
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nie Y, Zhang Y, Wu J. The Secondary Structure of Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid Determines Its Infectivity in Nicotiana benthamiana. Viruses 2023; 15:2307. [PMID: 38140547 PMCID: PMC10748084 DOI: 10.3390/v15122307] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The function of RNAs is determined by their structure. However, studying the relationship between RNA structure and function often requires altering RNA sequences to modify the structures, which leads to the neglect of the importance of RNA sequences themselves. In our research, we utilized potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), a circular-form non-coding infectious RNA, as a model with which to investigate the role of a specific rod-like structure in RNA function. By generating linear RNA transcripts with different start sites, we established 12 PSTVd forms with different secondary structures while maintaining the same sequence. The RNA secondary structures were predicted using the mfold tool and validated through native PAGE gel electrophoresis after in vitro RNA folding. Analysis using plant infection assays revealed that the formation of a correct rod-like structure is crucial for the successful infection of PSTVd. Interestingly, the inability of PSTVd forms with non-rod-like structures to infect plants could be partially compensated by increasing the amount of linear viroid RNA transcripts, suggesting the existence of additional RNA secondary structures, such as the correct rod-like structure, alongside the dominant structure in the RNA inoculum of these forms. Our study demonstrates the critical role of RNA secondary structures in determining the function of infectious RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jian Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.N.); (Y.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Feng H, Li F, Wang T, Xing XH, Zeng AP, Zhang C. Deep-learning-assisted Sort-Seq enables high-throughput profiling of gene expression characteristics with high precision. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5296. [PMID: 37939173 PMCID: PMC10631719 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the nondeterministic and nonlinear nature of gene expression, the steady-state intracellular protein abundance of a clonal population forms a distribution. The characteristics of this distribution, including expression strength and noise, are closely related to cellular behavior. However, quantitative description of these characteristics has so far relied on arrayed methods, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this issue, we propose a deep-learning-assisted Sort-Seq approach (dSort-Seq) in this work, enabling high-throughput profiling of expression properties with high precision. We demonstrated the validity of dSort-Seq for large-scale assaying of the dose-response relationships of biosensors. In addition, we comprehensively investigated the contribution of transcription and translation to noise production in Escherichia coli, from which we found that the expression noise is strongly coupled with the mean expression level. We also found that the transcriptional interference caused by overlapping RpoD-binding sites contributes to noise production, which suggested the existence of a simple and feasible noise control strategy in E. coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huibao Feng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tianmin Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xin-hui Xing
- MOE Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - An-ping Zeng
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg 21073, Germany
- Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hacker WC, Elcock AH. spotter: a single-nucleotide resolution stochastic simulation model of supercoiling-mediated transcription and translation in prokaryotes. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e92. [PMID: 37602419 PMCID: PMC10516669 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad682] [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] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Stochastic simulation models have played an important role in efforts to understand the mechanistic basis of prokaryotic transcription and translation. Despite the fundamental linkage of these processes in bacterial cells, however, most simulation models have been limited to representations of either transcription or translation. In addition, the available simulation models typically either attempt to recapitulate data from single-molecule experiments without considering cellular-scale high-throughput sequencing data or, conversely, seek to reproduce cellular-scale data without paying close attention to many of the mechanistic details. To address these limitations, we here present spotter (Simulation of Prokaryotic Operon Transcription & Translation Elongation Reactions), a flexible, user-friendly simulation model that offers highly-detailed combined representations of prokaryotic transcription, translation, and DNA supercoiling. In incorporating nascent transcript and ribosomal profiling sequencing data, spotter provides a critical bridge between data collected in single-molecule experiments and data collected at the cellular scale. Importantly, in addition to rapidly generating output that can be aggregated for comparison with next-generation sequencing and proteomics data, spotter produces residue-level positional information that can be used to visualize individual simulation trajectories in detail. We anticipate that spotter will be a useful tool in exploring the interplay of processes that are crucially linked in prokaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William C Hacker
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Adrian H Elcock
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bar-Oz M, Martini MC, Alonso MN, Meir M, Lore NI, Miotto P, Riva C, Angala SK, Xiao J, Masiello CS, Misiakou MA, Sun H, Moy JK, Jackson M, Johansen HK, Cirillo DM, Shell SS, Barkan D. The small non-coding RNA B11 regulates multiple facets of Mycobacterium abscessus virulence. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011575. [PMID: 37603560 PMCID: PMC10470900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011575] [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] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus causes severe disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. Little is known in M. abscessus about the roles of small regulatory RNAs (sRNA) in gene regulation. We show that the sRNA B11 controls gene expression and virulence-associated phenotypes in this pathogen. B11 deletion from the smooth strain ATCC_19977 produced a rough strain, increased pro-inflammatory signaling and virulence in multiple infection models, and increased resistance to antibiotics. Examination of clinical isolate cohorts identified isolates with B11 mutations or reduced expression. We used RNAseq and proteomics to investigate the effects of B11 on gene expression and test the impact of mutations found in clinical isolates. Over 200 genes were differentially expressed in the deletion mutant. Strains with the clinical B11 mutations showed expression trends similar to the deletion mutant, suggesting partial loss of function. Among genes upregulated in the B11 mutant, there was a strong enrichment for genes with B11-complementary sequences in their predicted ribosome binding sites (RBS), consistent with B11 functioning as a negative regulator that represses translation via base-pairing to RBSs. Comparing the proteomes similarly revealed that upregulated proteins were strongly enriched for B11-complementary sequences. Intriguingly, genes upregulated in the absence of B11 included components of the ESX-4 secretion system, critical for M. abscessus virulence. Many of these genes had B11-complementary sequences at their RBSs, which we show is sufficient to mediate repression by B11 through direct binding. Altogether, our data show that B11 acts as a direct negative regulator and mediates (likely indirect) positive regulation with pleiotropic effects on gene expression and clinically important phenotypes in M. abscessus. The presence of hypomorphic B11 mutations in clinical strains is consistent with the idea that lower B11 activity may be advantageous for M. abscessus in some clinical contexts. This is the first report on an sRNA role in M. abscessus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bar-Oz
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maria Carla Martini
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maria Natalia Alonso
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - Paolo Miotto
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Riva
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Shiva K Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Junpei Xiao
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherine S Masiello
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maria-Anna Misiakou
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Huaming Sun
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Justin K Moy
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | | | | | - Scarlet S Shell
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel Barkan
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wanney WC, Youssar L, Kostova G, Georg J. Improved RNA stability estimation indicates that transcriptional interference is frequent in diverse bacteria. Commun Biol 2023; 6:732. [PMID: 37454177 PMCID: PMC10349824 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05097-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We used stochastic simulations and experimental data from E. coli, K. aerogenes, Synechococcus PCC 7002 and Synechocystis PCC 6803 to provide evidence that transcriptional interference via the collision mechanism is likely a prevalent mechanism for bacterial gene regulation. Rifampicin time-series data can be used to globally monitor and quantify collision between sense and antisense transcription-complexes. Our findings also highlight that transcriptional events, such as differential RNA decay, partial termination, and internal transcriptional start sites often deviate from gene annotations. Consequently, within a single gene annotation, there exist transcript segments with varying half-lives and transcriptional properties. To address these complexities, we introduce 'rifi', an R-package that analyzes transcriptomic data from rifampicin time series. 'rifi' employs a dynamic programming-based segmentation approach to identify individual transcripts, enabling accurate assessment of RNA stability and detection of diverse transcriptional events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walja C Wanney
- Genetics and Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Loubna Youssar
- Genetics and Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gergana Kostova
- Genetics and Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jens Georg
- Genetics and Experimental Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Brenes-Álvarez M, Vioque A, Muro-Pastor AM. Nitrogen-regulated antisense transcription in the adaptation to nitrogen deficiency in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad187. [PMID: 37361547 PMCID: PMC10287535 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomic analyses using high-throughput methods have revealed abundant antisense transcription in bacteria. Antisense transcription is often due to the overlap of mRNAs with long 5' or 3' regions that extend beyond the coding sequence. In addition, antisense RNAs that do not contain any coding sequence are also observed. Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that, under nitrogen limitation, behaves as a multicellular organism with division of labor among two different cell types that depend on each other, the vegetative CO2-fixing cells and the nitrogen-fixing heterocysts. The differentiation of heterocysts depends on the global nitrogen regulator NtcA and requires the specific regulator HetR. To identify antisense RNAs potentially involved in heterocyst differentiation, we assembled the Nostoc transcriptome using RNA-seq analysis of cells subjected to nitrogen limitation (9 or 24 h after nitrogen removal) in combination with a genome-wide set of transcriptional start sites and a prediction of transcriptional terminators. Our analysis resulted in the definition of a transcriptional map that includes >4,000 transcripts, 65% of which contain regions in antisense orientation to other transcripts. In addition to overlapping mRNAs, we identified nitrogen-regulated noncoding antisense RNAs transcribed from NtcA- or HetR-dependent promoters. As an example of this last category, we further analyzed an antisense (as_gltA) of the gene-encoding citrate synthase and showed that transcription of as_gltA takes place specifically in heterocysts. Since the overexpression of as_gltA reduces citrate synthase activity, this antisense RNA could eventually contribute to the metabolic remodeling that occurs during the differentiation of vegetative cells into heterocysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Agustín Vioque
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Calil Brondani J, Afful D, Nune H, Hart J, Cook S, Momany C. Overproduction, purification, and transcriptional activity of recombinant Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 RNA polymerase holoenzyme. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 206:106254. [PMID: 36804950 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106254] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baylyi is an interesting model organism to investigate bacterial metabolism due to its vast repertoire of metabolic enzymes and ease of genetic manipulation. However, the study of gene expression in vitro is dependent on the availability of its RNA polymerase (RNAp), an essential enzyme in transcription. In this work, we developed a convenient method of producing the recombinant A. baylyi ADP1 RNA polymerase holoenzyme (RNApholo) in E. coli that yields 22 mg of a >96% purity protein from a 1-liter shake flask culture. We further characterized the A. baylyi ADP1 RNApholo kinetic profile using T7 Phage DNA as template and demonstrated that it is a highly transcriptionally active enzyme with an elongation rate of 24 nt/s and a termination efficiency of 94%. Moreover, the A. baylyi ADP1 RNApholo has a substantial sequence identity (∼95%) with the RNApholo from the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. This protein can serve as a source of material for structural and biological studies towards advancing our understanding of genome expression and regulation in Acinetobacter species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calil Brondani
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Derrick Afful
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Hanna Nune
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jesse Hart
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Shelby Cook
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Cory Momany
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Delbeau M, Omollo EO, Froom R, Koh S, Mooney RA, Lilic M, Brewer JJ, Rock J, Darst SA, Campbell EA, Landick R. Structural and functional basis of the universal transcription factor NusG pro-pausing activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mol Cell 2023; 83:1474-1488.e8. [PMID: 37116494 PMCID: PMC10231689 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.04.007] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional pauses mediate regulation of RNA biogenesis. DNA-encoded pause signals trigger pausing by stabilizing RNA polymerase (RNAP) swiveling and inhibiting DNA translocation. The N-terminal domain (NGN) of the only universal transcription factor, NusG/Spt5, modulates pausing through contacts to RNAP and DNA. Pro-pausing NusGs enhance pauses, whereas anti-pausing NusGs suppress pauses. Little is known about pausing and NusG in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We report that MtbNusG is pro-pausing. MtbNusG captures paused, swiveled RNAP by contacts to the RNAP protrusion and nontemplate-DNA wedged between the NGN and RNAP gate loop. In contrast, anti-pausing Escherichia coli (Eco) NGN contacts the MtbRNAP gate loop, inhibiting swiveling and pausing. Using CRISPR-mediated genetics, we show that pro-pausing NGN is required for mycobacterial fitness. Our results define an essential function of mycobacterial NusG and the structural basis of pro- versus anti-pausing NusG activity, with broad implications for the function of all NusG orthologs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Delbeau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Expery O Omollo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Ruby Froom
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Steven Koh
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rachel A Mooney
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mirjana Lilic
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Joshua J Brewer
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeremy Rock
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Seth A Darst
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Robert Landick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
D’Halluin A, Polgar P, Kipkorir T, Patel Z, Cortes T, Arnvig KB. Premature termination of transcription is shaped by Rho and translated uORFS in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. iScience 2023; 26:106465. [PMID: 37096044 PMCID: PMC10122055 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the decisions behind transcription elongation versus termination in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB). By applying Term-seq to M.TB we found that the majority of transcription termination is premature and associated with translated regions, i.e., within previously annotated or newly identified open reading frames. Computational predictions and Term-seq analysis, upon depletion of termination factor Rho, suggests that Rho-dependent transcription termination dominates all transcription termination sites (TTS), including those associated with regulatory 5' leaders. Moreover, our results suggest that tightly coupled translation, in the form of overlapping stop and start codons, may suppress Rho-dependent termination. This study provides detailed insights into novel M.TB cis-regulatory elements, where Rho-dependent, conditional termination of transcription and translational coupling together play major roles in gene expression control. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the fundamental regulatory mechanisms that enable M.TB adaptation to the host environment offering novel potential points of intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre D’Halluin
- Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Peter Polgar
- Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Terry Kipkorir
- Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Zaynah Patel
- Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Teresa Cortes
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Kristine B. Arnvig
- Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ju X, Li S, Froom R, Wang L, Lilic M, Campbell EA, Rock JM, Liu S. Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.10.532058. [PMID: 36945399 PMCID: PMC10028986 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.10.532058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis, an infectious disease that inflicts major health and economic costs around the world 1 . Mtb encounters a diversity of environments during its lifecycle, and responds to these changing environments by reprogramming its transcriptional output 2 . However, the transcriptomic features of Mtb remain poorly characterized. In this work, we comprehensively profile the Mtb transcriptome using the SEnd-seq method that simultaneously captures the 5' and 3' ends of RNA 3 . Surprisingly, we find that the RNA coverage for most of the Mtb transcription units display a gradual drop-off within a 200-500 nucleotide window downstream of the transcription start site, yielding a massive number of incomplete transcripts with heterogeneous 3' ends. We further show that the accumulation of these short RNAs is mainly due to the intrinsically low processivity of the Mtb transcription machinery rather than trans-acting factors such as Rho. Finally, we demonstrate that transcription-translation coupling plays a critical role in generating full-length protein-coding transcripts in Mtb. In sum, our results depict a mycobacterial transcriptome that is dominated by incomplete RNA products, suggesting a distinctive set of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that could be exploited for new therapeutics.
Collapse
|
27
|
Johnson GE, Parker DJ, Lalanne JB, Parker ML, Li GW. BaM-seq and TBaM-seq, highly multiplexed and targeted RNA-seq protocols for rapid, low-cost library generation from bacterial samples. NAR Genom Bioinform 2023; 5:lqad017. [PMID: 36879903 PMCID: PMC9985320 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to profile transcriptomes and characterize global gene expression changes has been greatly enabled by the development of RNA sequencing technologies (RNA-seq). However, the process of generating sequencing-compatible cDNA libraries from RNA samples can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for bacterial mRNAs which lack poly(A)-tails that are often used to streamline this process for eukaryotic samples. Compared to the increasing throughput and decreasing cost of sequencing, library preparation has had limited advances. Here, we describe bacterial-multiplexed-seq (BaM-seq), an approach that enables simple barcoding of many bacterial RNA samples that decreases the time and cost of library preparation. We also present targeted-bacterial-multiplexed-seq (TBaM-seq) that allows for differential expression analysis of specific gene panels with over 100-fold enrichment in read coverage. In addition, we introduce the concept of transcriptome redistribution based on TBaM-seq that dramatically reduces the required sequencing depth while still allowing for quantification of both highly and lowly abundant transcripts. These methods accurately measure gene expression changes with high technical reproducibility and agreement with gold standard, lower throughput approaches. Together, use of these library preparation protocols allows for fast, affordable generation of sequencing libraries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Johnson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darren J Parker
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jean-Benoit Lalanne
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mirae L Parker
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computational & Systems Biology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gene-Wei Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Advancing Desulfurization in the Model Biocatalyst Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 via an In Locus Combinatorial Approach. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0197022. [PMID: 36688659 PMCID: PMC9973023 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01970-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodesulfurization poses as an ideal replacement to the high cost hydrodesulfurization of the recalcitrant heterocyclic sulfur compounds, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) and its derivatives. The increasingly stringent limits on fuel sulfur content intensify the need for improved desulfurization biocatalysts, without sacrificing the calorific value of the fuel. Selective sulfur removal in a wide range of biodesulfurization strains, as well as in the model biocatalyst Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8, occurs via the 4S metabolic pathway that involves the dszABC operon, which encodes enzymes that catalyze the generation of 2-hydroxybiphenyl and sulfite from DBT. Here, using a homologous recombination process, we generate two recombinant IGTS8 biocatalysts, harboring native or rearranged, nonrepressible desulfurization operons, within the native dsz locus. The alleviation of sulfate-, methionine-, and cysteine-mediated dsz repression is achieved through the exchange of the native promoter Pdsz, with the nonrepressible Pkap1 promoter. The Dsz-mediated desulfurization from DBT was monitored at three growth phases, through HPLC analysis of end product levels. Notably, an 86-fold enhancement of desulfurization activity was documented in the presence of selected repressive sulfur sources for the recombinant biocatalyst harboring a combination of three targeted genetic modifications, namely, a dsz operon rearrangement, a native promoter exchange, and a dszA-dszB overlap removal. In addition, transcript level comparison highlighted the diverse effects of our genetic engineering approaches on dsz mRNA ratios and revealed a gene-specific differential increase in mRNA levels. IMPORTANCE Rhodococcus is perhaps the most promising biodesulfurization genus and is able to withstand the harsh process conditions of a biphasic biodesulfurization process. In the present work, we constructed an advanced biocatalyst harboring a combination of three genetic modifications, namely, an operon rearrangement, a promoter exchange, and a gene overlap removal. Our homologous recombination approach generated stable biocatalysts that do not require antibiotic addition, while harboring nonrepressible desulfurization operons that present very high biodesulfurization activities and are produced in simple and low-cost media. In addition, transcript level quantification validated the effects of our genetic engineering approaches on recombinant strains' dsz mRNA ratios and revealed a gene-specific differential increase in mRNA levels. Based on these findings, the present work can pave the way for further strain and process optimization studies that could eventually lead to an economically viable biodesulfurization process.
Collapse
|
29
|
Ahmad E, Mitra A, Ahmed W, Mahapatra V, Hegde SR, Sala C, Cole ST, Nagaraja V. Rho-dependent transcription termination is the dominant mechanism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194923. [PMID: 36822574 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic and Rho-dependent transcription termination mechanisms regulate gene expression and recycle RNA polymerase in bacteria. Both the modes are well studied in Escherichia coli, and a few other organisms. The understanding of Rho function is limited in most other bacteria including mycobacteria. Here, we highlight the dominance of Rho-dependent termination in mycobacteria and validate Rho as a key regulatory factor. The lower abundance of intrinsic terminators, high cellular levels of Rho, and its genome-wide association with a majority of transcriptionally active genes indicate the pronounced role of Rho-mediated termination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Rho modulates the termination of RNA synthesis for both protein-coding and stable RNA genes in Mtb. Concordantly, the depletion of Rho in mycobacteria impact its growth and enhances the transcription read-through at 3' ends of the transcription units. We demonstrate that MtbRho is catalytically active in the presence of RNA with varied secondary structures. These properties suggest an evolutionary adaptation of Rho as the efficient and preponderant mode of transcription termination in mycobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ezaz Ahmad
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Anirban Mitra
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Wareed Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Varsha Mahapatra
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Shubhada R Hegde
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru 560100, India
| | - Claudia Sala
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Valakunja Nagaraja
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru 560064, India.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Elongation Factor P Is Important for Sporulation Initiation. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0037022. [PMID: 36651772 PMCID: PMC9945569 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00370-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The universally conserved protein elongation factor P (EF-P) facilitates translation at amino acids that form peptide bonds with low efficiency, particularly polyproline tracts. Despite its wide conservation, it is not essential in most bacteria and its physiological role remains unclear. Here, we show that EF-P affects the process of sporulation initiation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We observe that the lack of EF-P delays expression of sporulation-specific genes. Using ribosome profiling, we observe that expression of spo0A, encoding a transcription factor that functions as the master regulator of sporulation, is lower in a Δefp strain than the wild type. Ectopic expression of Spo0A rescues the sporulation initiation phenotype, indicating that reduced spo0A expression explains the sporulation defect in Δefp cells. Since Spo0A is the earliest sporulation transcription factor, these data suggest that sporulation initiation can be delayed when protein synthesis is impaired. IMPORTANCE Elongation factor P (EF-P) is a universally conserved translation factor that prevents ribosome stalling at amino acids that form peptide bonds with low efficiency, particularly polyproline tracts. Phenotypes associated with EF-P deletion are pleiotropic, and the mechanistic basis underlying many of these phenotypes is unclear. Here, we show that the absence of EF-P affects the ability of B. subtilis to initiate sporulation by preventing normal expression of Spo0A, the key transcriptional regulator of this process. These data illustrate a mechanism that accounts for the sporulation delay and further suggest that cells are capable of sensing translation stress before committing to sporulation.
Collapse
|
31
|
Murayama Y, Ehara H, Aoki M, Goto M, Yokoyama T, Sekine SI. Structural basis of the transcription termination factor Rho engagement with transcribing RNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade7093. [PMID: 36753546 PMCID: PMC9908020 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Transcription termination is an essential step in transcription by RNA polymerase (RNAP) and crucial for gene regulation. For many bacterial genes, transcription termination is mediated by the adenosine triphosphate-dependent RNA translocase/helicase Rho, which causes RNA/DNA dissociation from the RNAP elongation complex (EC). However, the structural basis of the interplay between Rho and RNAP remains obscure. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Thermus thermophilus RNAP EC engaged with Rho. The Rho hexamer binds RNAP through the carboxyl-terminal domains, which surround the RNA exit site of RNAP, directing the nascent RNA seamlessly from the RNA exit to its central channel. The β-flap tip at the RNA exit is critical for the Rho-dependent RNA release, and its deletion causes an alternative Rho-RNAP binding mode, which is irrelevant to termination. The Rho binding site overlaps with the binding sites of other macromolecules, such as ribosomes, providing a general basis of gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Murayama
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Ehara
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mari Aoki
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mie Goto
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoyama
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Shun-ichi Sekine
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhu M, Dai X. Stringent response ensures the timely adaptation of bacterial growth to nutrient downshift. Nat Commun 2023; 14:467. [PMID: 36709335 PMCID: PMC9884231 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Timely adaptation to nutrient downshift is crucial for bacteria to maintain fitness during feast and famine cycle in the natural niche. However, the molecular mechanism that ensures the timely adaption of bacterial growth to nutrient downshift remains poorly understood. Here, we quantitatively investigated the adaptation of Escherichia coli to various kinds of nutrient downshift. We found that relA deficient strain, which is devoid of stringent response, exhibits a significantly longer growth lag than wild type strain during adapting to both amino acid downshift and carbon downshift. Quantitative proteomics show that increased (p)ppGpp level promotes the growth adaption of bacteria to amino acid downshift via triggering the proteome resource re-allocation from ribosome synthesis to amino acid biosynthesis. Such type of proteome re-allocation is significantly delayed in the relA-deficient strain, which underlies its longer lag than wild type strain during amino acid downshift. During carbon downshift, a lack of stringent response in relA deficient strain leads to disruption of the transcription-translation coordination, thus compromising the transcription processivity and further the timely expression of related catabolic operons for utilizing secondary carbon sources. Our studies shed light on the fundamental strategy of bacteria to maintain fitness under nutrient-fluctuating environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manlu Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Xiongfeng Dai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Klumpp S. Transcription-translation coupling: Traveling a road under construction. Biophys J 2023; 122:1-3. [PMID: 36525978 PMCID: PMC9822832 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Klumpp
- Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Li X, Chou T. Stochastic dynamics and ribosome-RNAP interactions in transcription-translation coupling. Biophys J 2023; 122:254-266. [PMID: 36199250 PMCID: PMC9822797 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.041] [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] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Under certain cellular conditions, transcription and mRNA translation in prokaryotes appear to be "coupled," in which the formation of mRNA transcript and production of its associated protein are temporally correlated. Such transcription-translation coupling (TTC) has been evoked as a mechanism that speeds up the overall process, provides protection against premature termination, and/or regulates the timing of transcript and protein formation. What molecular mechanisms underlie ribosome-RNAP coupling and how they can perform these functions have not been explicitly modeled. We develop and analyze a continuous-time stochastic model that incorporates ribosome and RNAP elongation rates, initiation and termination rates, RNAP pausing, and direct ribosome and RNAP interactions (exclusion and binding). Our model predicts how distributions of delay times depend on these molecular features of transcription and translation. We also propose additional measures for TTC: a direct ribosome-RNAP binding probability and the fraction of time the translation-transcription process is "protected" from attack by transcription-terminating proteins. These metrics quantify different aspects of TTC and differentially depend on parameters of known molecular processes. We use our metrics to reveal how and when our model can exhibit either acceleration or deceleration of transcription, as well as protection from termination. Our detailed mechanistic model provides a basis for designing new experimental assays that can better elucidate the mechanisms of TTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Li
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tom Chou
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ellinger E, Chauvier A, Romero RA, Liu Y, Ray S, Walter NG. Riboswitches as therapeutic targets: promise of a new era of antibiotics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:433-445. [PMID: 37364239 PMCID: PMC10527229 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2230363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The growth of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is an impending global threat that can only be averted through the development of novel antibacterial drugs. A promising answer could be the targeting of riboswitches, structured RNA elements found almost exclusively in bacteria. AREAS COVERED This review examines the potential of riboswitches as novel antibacterial drug targets. The limited mechanisms of action of currently available antibiotics are summarized, followed by a delineation of the functional mechanisms of riboswitches. We then discuss the potential for developing novel approaches that target paradigmatic riboswitches in the context of their bacterial gene expression machinery. EXPERT OPINION We highlight potential advantages of targeting riboswitches in their functional form, embedded within gene expression complexes critical for bacterial survival. We emphasize the benefits of this approach, including potentially higher species specificity and lower side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ellinger
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Adrien Chauvier
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rosa A. Romero
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yichen Liu
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sujay Ray
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nils G. Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
In bacteria, transcription and translation take place in the same cellular compartment. Therefore, a messenger RNA can be translated as it is being transcribed, a process known as transcription-translation coupling. This process was already recognized at the dawn of molecular biology, yet the interplay between the two key players, the RNA polymerase and ribosome, remains elusive. Genetic data indicate that an RNA sequence can be translated shortly after it has been transcribed. The closer both processes are in time, the less accessible the RNA sequence is between the RNA polymerase and ribosome. This temporal coupling has important consequences for gene regulation. Biochemical and structural studies have detailed several complexes between the RNA polymerase and ribosome. The in vivo relevance of this physical coupling has not been formally demonstrated. We discuss how both temporal and physical coupling may mesh to produce the phenomenon we know as transcription-translation coupling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregor M Blaha
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, California, USA;
| | - Joseph T Wade
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang M, Song J, Xiao J, Jin J, Nomura CT, Chen S, Wang Q. Engineered multiple translation initiation sites: a novel tool to enhance protein production in Bacillus licheniformis and other industrially relevant bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11979-11990. [PMID: 36382403 PMCID: PMC9723656 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive bacteria are a nascent platform for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering that can provide new opportunities for the production of biomolecules. However, the lack of standardized methods and genetic parts is a major obstacle towards attaining the acceptance and widespread use of Gram-positive bacterial chassis for industrial bioproduction. In this study, we have engineered a novel mRNA leader sequence containing more than one ribosomal binding site (RBS) which could initiate translation from multiple sites, vastly enhancing the translation efficiency of the Gram-positive industrial strain Bacillus licheniformis. This is the first report elucidating the impact of more than one RBS to initiate translation and enhance protein output in B. licheniformis. We also explored the application of more than one RBS for both intracellular and extracellular protein production in B. licheniformis to demonstrate its efficiency, consistency and potential for biotechnological applications. Moreover, we applied these concepts for use in other industrially relevant Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Corynebacterium glutamicum. In all, a highly efficient and robust broad-host expression element has been designed to strengthen and fine-tune the protein outputs for the use of bioproduction in microbial cell factories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | | | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Jingjie Jin
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Christopher T Nomura
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Shouwen Chen
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Shouwen Chen.
| | - Qin Wang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 18507140137;
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Mandell ZF, Vishwakarma RK, Yakhnin H, Murakami KS, Kashlev M, Babitzke P. Comprehensive transcription terminator atlas for Bacillus subtilis. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1918-1931. [PMID: 36192538 PMCID: PMC10024249 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptome-wide contributions of Rho-dependent and intrinsic (Rho-independent) transcription termination mechanisms in bacteria are unclear. By sequencing released transcripts in a wild-type strain and strains containing deficiencies in NusA, NusG and/or Rho (10 strains), we produced an atlas of terminators for the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We found that NusA and NusG stimulate 77% and 19% of all intrinsic terminators, respectively, and that both proteins participate in Rho-dependent termination. We also show that Rho stimulates termination at 10% of the intrinsic terminators in vivo. We recapitulated Rho-stimulated intrinsic termination at 5 terminators in vitro and found that Rho requires the KOW domain of NusG to stimulate this process at one of these terminators. Computational analyses of our atlas using RNAstructure, MEME suite and DiffLogo, combined with in vitro transcription experiments, revealed that Rho stimulates intrinsic terminators with weak hairpins and/or U-rich tracts by remodelling the RNA upstream of the intrinsic terminator to prevent the formation of RNA structures that could otherwise compete with the terminator hairpin. We also identified 56 putative examples of 'hybrid Rho-dependent termination', wherein classical Rho-dependent termination occurs after readthrough of a Rho-stimulated intrinsic terminator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F Mandell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rishi K Vishwakarma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Helen Yakhnin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Katsuhiko S Murakami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- NCI RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Paul Babitzke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Klee SM, Sinn JP, Held J, Vosburg C, Holmes AC, Lehman BL, Peter KA, McNellis TW. Putative transcription antiterminator RfaH contributes to Erwinia amylovora virulence. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:1686-1694. [PMID: 35929143 PMCID: PMC9562583 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight disease of apple and pear trees. The exopolysaccharide amylovoran and lipopolysaccharides are essential E. amylovora virulence factors. Production of amylovoran and lipopolysaccharide is specified in part by genes that are members of long operons. Here, we show that full virulence of E. amylovora in apple fruitlets and tree shoots depends on the predicted transcription antiterminator RfaH. RfaH reduces pausing in the production of long transcripts having an operon polarity suppressor regulatory element within their promoter region. In E. amylovora, only the amylovoran operon and a lipopolysaccharide operon have such regulatory elements within their promoter regions and in the correct orientation. These operons showed dramatically increased polarity in the ΔrfaH mutant compared to the wild type as determined by RNA sequencing. Amylovoran and lipopolysaccharide production in vitro was reduced in rfaH mutants compared to the wild type, which probably contributes to the rfaH mutant virulence phenotype. Furthermore, type VI secretion cluster 1, which contributes to E. amylovora virulence, showed reduced expression in ΔrfaH compared to the wild type, although without an increase in polarity. The data suggest that E. amylovora RfaH directly, specifically, and exclusively suppresses operon polarity in the amylovoran operon and a lipopolysaccharide operon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Klee
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Judith P. Sinn
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jeremy Held
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life SciencesThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Chad Vosburg
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Aleah C. Holmes
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical SchoolThe University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Brian L. Lehman
- The Pennsylvania State University Fruit Research and Extension CenterBiglervillePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Kari A. Peter
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
- The Pennsylvania State University Fruit Research and Extension CenterBiglervillePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Timothy W. McNellis
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental MicrobiologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Figueroa-Bossi N, Balbontín R, Bossi L. Working with Bacteria, Phage, and Plasmids. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2022; 2022:Pdb.top107848. [PMID: 35960618 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Methods for the in vivo manipulation of bacterial genomes have improved greatly in recent years because of the discovery of new mechanisms and the gigantic leap forward in DNA-sequencing technology. Many cutting-edge approaches still rely on a variety of technical routines, the correct implementation of which is critical for the success of an experiment. Here, we introduce some of these procedures as used for Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica We begin by reviewing the aspects of the biology of these two species that are most relevant for their manipulation in the laboratory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nara Figueroa-Bossi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Roberto Balbontín
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41080 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lionello Bossi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Dey S, Batisse C, Shukla J, Webster MW, Takacs M, Saint-André C, Weixlbaumer A. Structural insights into RNA-mediated transcription regulation in bacteria. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3885-3900.e10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
42
|
Mandell ZF, Zemba D, Babitzke P. Factor-stimulated intrinsic termination: getting by with a little help from some friends. Transcription 2022; 13:96-108. [PMID: 36154805 PMCID: PMC9715273 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2022.2127602] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination is known to occur via two mechanisms in bacteria, intrinsic termination (also frequently referred to as Rho-independent or factor-independent termination) and Rho-dependent termination. Based primarily on in vitro studies using Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, it was generally assumed that intrinsic termination and Rho-dependent termination are distinct mechanisms and that the signals required for intrinsic termination are present primarily within the nucleic acids. In this review, we detail recent findings from studies in Bacillus subtilis showing that intrinsic termination in this organism is highly stimulated by NusA, NusG, and even Rho. In NusA-stimulated intrinsic termination, NusA facilitates the formation of weak terminator hairpins and compensates for distal U-rich tract interruptions. In NusG-stimulated intrinsic termination, NusG stabilizes a sequence-dependent pause at the point of termination, which extends the time frame for RNA hairpins with weak terminal base pairs to form in either a NusA-stimulated or a NusA-independent fashion. In Rho-stimulated intrinsic termination, Rho prevents the formation of antiterminator-like RNA structures that could otherwise compete with the terminator hairpin. Combined, NusA, NusG, and Rho stimulate approximately 97% of all intrinsic terminators in B. subtilis. Thus, the general view that intrinsic termination is primarily a factor-independent process needs to be revised to account for recent findings. Moreover, the historical distinction between Rho-dependent and intrinsic termination is overly simplistic and needs to be modernized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F. Mandell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United State
| | - Dani Zemba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Paul Babitzke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mohamed AA, Vazquez Nunez R, Vos SM. Structural advances in transcription elongation. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102422. [PMID: 35816930 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the first step of gene expression and involves RNA polymerases. After transcription initiation, RNA polymerase enters elongation followed by transcription termination at the end of the gene. Only recently, structures of transcription elongation complexes bound to key transcription elongation factors have been determined in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. These structures have revealed numerous insights including the basis for transcriptional pausing, RNA polymerase interaction with large complexes such as the ribosome and the spliceosome, and the transition into productive elongation. Here, we review these structures and describe areas for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah A Mohamed
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. https://twitter.com/AMohamed_98
| | - Roberto Vazquez Nunez
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. https://twitter.com/rjareth
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Xiong HB, Pan HM, Long QY, Wang ZY, Qu WT, Mei T, Zhang N, Xu XF, Yang ZN, Yu QB. AtNusG, a chloroplast nucleoid protein of bacterial origin linking chloroplast transcriptional and translational machineries, is required for proper chloroplast gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6715-6734. [PMID: 35736138 PMCID: PMC9262611 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In Escherichia coli, transcription-translation coupling is mediated by NusG. Although chloroplasts are descendants of endosymbiotic prokaryotes, the mechanism underlying this coupling in chloroplasts remains unclear. Here, we report transcription-translation coupling through AtNusG in chloroplasts. AtNusG is localized in chloroplast nucleoids and is closely associated with the chloroplast PEP complex by interacting with its essential component PAP9. It also comigrates with chloroplast ribosomes and interacts with their two components PRPS5 (uS5c) and PRPS10 (uS10c). These data suggest that the transcription and translation machineries are coupled in chloroplasts. In the atnusg mutant, the accumulation of chloroplast-encoded photosynthetic gene transcripts, such as psbA, psbB, psbC and psbD, was not obviously changed, but that of their proteins was clearly decreased. Chloroplast polysomic analysis indicated that the decrease in these proteins was due to the reduced efficiency of their translation in this mutant, leading to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and enhanced sensitivity to cold stress. These data indicate that AtNusG-mediated coupling between transcription and translation in chloroplasts ensures the rapid establishment of photosynthetic capacity for plant growth and the response to environmental changes. Therefore, our study reveals a conserved mechanism of transcription-translation coupling between chloroplasts and E. coli, which perhaps represents a regulatory mechanism of chloroplast gene expression. This study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of chloroplast gene expression in higher plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zi-Yuan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Wan-Tong Qu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Tong Mei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Zhong-Nan Yang
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Zhong-Nan Yang. Tel: +86 21 64324650;
| | - Qing-Bo Yu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 21 64324812;
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Takada H, Mandell ZF, Yakhnin H, Glazyrina A, Chiba S, Kurata T, Wu KJY, Tresco BIC, Myers AG, Aktinson GC, Babitzke P, Hauryliuk V. Expression of Bacillus subtilis ABCF antibiotic resistance factor VmlR is regulated by RNA polymerase pausing, transcription attenuation, translation attenuation and (p)ppGpp. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6174-6189. [PMID: 35699226 PMCID: PMC9226507 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since antibiotic resistance is often associated with a fitness cost, bacteria employ multi-layered regulatory mechanisms to ensure that expression of resistance factors is restricted to times of antibiotic challenge. In Bacillus subtilis, the chromosomally-encoded ABCF ATPase VmlR confers resistance to pleuromutilin, lincosamide and type A streptogramin translation inhibitors. Here we show that vmlR expression is regulated by translation attenuation and transcription attenuation mechanisms. Antibiotic-induced ribosome stalling during translation of an upstream open reading frame in the vmlR leader region prevents formation of an anti-antiterminator structure, leading to the formation of an antiterminator structure that prevents intrinsic termination. Thus, transcription in the presence of antibiotic induces vmlR expression. We also show that NusG-dependent RNA polymerase pausing in the vmlR leader prevents leaky expression in the absence of antibiotic. Furthermore, we demonstrate that induction of VmlR expression by compromised protein synthesis does not require the ability of VmlR to rescue the translational defect, as exemplified by constitutive induction of VmlR by ribosome assembly defects. Rather, the specificity of induction is determined by the antibiotic's ability to stall the ribosome on the regulatory open reading frame located within the vmlR leader. Finally, we demonstrate the involvement of (p)ppGpp-mediated signalling in antibiotic-induced VmlR expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiraku Takada
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University and Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kamigamo, Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.,Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Building 6K, 6L University Hospital Area, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Zachary F Mandell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Helen Yakhnin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Anastasiya Glazyrina
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Building 6K, 6L University Hospital Area, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Shinobu Chiba
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University and Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kamigamo, Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Kurata
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kelvin J Y Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ben I C Tresco
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Andrew G Myers
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gemma C Aktinson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Paul Babitzke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Vasili Hauryliuk
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Building 6K, 6L University Hospital Area, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.,University of Tartu, Institute of Technology, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Carpousis AJ, Campo N, Hadjeras L, Hamouche L. Compartmentalization of RNA Degradosomes in Bacteria Controls Accessibility to Substrates and Ensures Concerted Degradation of mRNA to Nucleotides. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:533-552. [PMID: 35671533 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-041020-113308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
RNA degradosomes are multienzyme complexes composed of ribonucleases, RNA helicases, and metabolic enzymes. RNase E-based degradosomes are widespread in Proteobacteria. The Escherichia coli RNA degradosome is sequestered from transcription in the nucleoid and translation in the cytoplasm by localization to the inner cytoplasmic membrane, where it forms short-lived clusters that are proposed to be sites of mRNA degradation. In Caulobacter crescentus, RNA degradosomes localize to ribonucleoprotein condensates in the interior of the cell [bacterial ribonucleoprotein-bodies (BR-bodies)], which have been proposed to drive the concerted degradation of mRNA to nucleotides. The turnover of mRNA in growing cells is important for maintaining pools of nucleotides for transcription and DNA replication. Membrane attachment of the E. coli RNA degradosome is necessary to avoid wasteful degradation of intermediates in ribosome assembly. Sequestering RNA degradosomes to C. crescentus BR-bodies, which exclude structured RNA, could have a similar role in protecting intermediates in ribosome assembly from degradation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agamemnon J Carpousis
- LMGM, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CBI, Toulouse, France; , , .,TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Campo
- LMGM, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CBI, Toulouse, France; , ,
| | - Lydia Hadjeras
- LMGM, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CBI, Toulouse, France; , , .,Current affiliation: IMIB, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Lina Hamouche
- LMGM, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CBI, Toulouse, France; , ,
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lins MRDCR, Corrêa GG, Amorim LADS, Franco RAL, Ribeiro NV, Jesus VND, Pedrolli DB. Characterization of Five Purine Riboswitches in Cellular and Cell-Free Expression Systems. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:207. [PMID: 35622174 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis employs five purine riboswitches for the control of purine de novo synthesis and transport at the transcription level. All of them are formed by a structurally conserved aptamer, and a variable expression platform harboring a rho-independent transcription terminator. In this study, we characterized all five purine riboswitches under the context of active gene expression processes both in vitro and in vivo. We identified transcription pause sites located in the expression platform upstream of the terminator of each riboswitch. Moreover, we defined a correlation between in vitro transcription readthrough and in vivo gene expression. Our in vitro assay demonstrated that the riboswitches operate in the micromolar range of concentration for the cognate metabolite. Our in vivo assay showed the dynamics of the control of gene expression by each riboswitch. This study deepens the knowledge of the regulatory mechanism of purine riboswitches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milca Rachel da Costa Ribeiro Lins
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Graciely Gomes Corrêa
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Laura Araujo da Silva Amorim
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Rafael Augusto Lopes Franco
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Nathan Vinicius Ribeiro
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Victor Nunes de Jesus
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Luthey-Schulten Z, Thornburg ZR, Gilbert BR. Integrating cellular and molecular structures and dynamics into whole-cell models. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102392. [PMID: 35623188 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A complete description of the state of the cell requires knowledge of its size, shape, components, intracellular reactions, and interactions with its environment-all of these as a function of time and cell growth. Adding to this list is the need for theoretical models and simulations that integrate and help to interpret this daunting amount of experimental data. It seems like an overwhelming list of requirements, but progress is being made on many fronts. In this review, we discuss the current challenges and problems in obtaining sufficient information about each aspect of a dynamical whole-cell model (DWCM) for simple and well-studied bacterial systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Luthey-Schulten
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Center for the Physics of the Living Cell, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
| | - Zane R Thornburg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Benjamin R Gilbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Herzel L, Stanley JA, Yao CC, Li GW. Ubiquitous mRNA decay fragments in E. coli redefine the functional transcriptome. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5029-5046. [PMID: 35524564 PMCID: PMC9122600 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial mRNAs have short life cycles, in which transcription is rapidly followed by translation and degradation within seconds to minutes. The resulting diversity of mRNA molecules across different life-cycle stages impacts their functionality but has remained unresolved. Here we quantitatively map the 3’ status of cellular RNAs in Escherichia coli during steady-state growth and report a large fraction of molecules (median>60%) that are fragments of canonical full-length mRNAs. The majority of RNA fragments are decay intermediates, whereas nascent RNAs contribute to a smaller fraction. Despite the prevalence of decay intermediates in total cellular RNA, these intermediates are underrepresented in the pool of ribosome-associated transcripts and can thus distort quantifications and differential expression analyses for the abundance of full-length, functional mRNAs. The large heterogeneity within mRNA molecules in vivo highlights the importance in discerning functional transcripts and provides a lens for studying the dynamic life cycle of mRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Herzel
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Julian A Stanley
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Chun-Chen Yao
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gene-Wei Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Mittermeier M, Wang B, Said N, Gjorgjevikj D, Wahl MC, Artsimovitch I. A non-native C-terminal extension of the β' subunit compromises RNA polymerase and Rho functions. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:871-885. [PMID: 35049093 PMCID: PMC9018486 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli RfaH abrogates Rho-mediated polarity in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis operons, and ΔrfaH cells are hypersensitive to antibiotics, bile salts, and detergents. Selection for rfaH suppressors that restore growth on SDS identified a temperature-sensitive mutant in which 46 C-terminal residues of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) β' subunit are replaced with 23 residues carrying a net positive charge. Based on similarity to rpoC397, which confers a temperature-sensitive phenotype and resistance to bacteriophages, we named this mutant rpoC397*. We show that SDS resistance depends on a single nonpolar residue within the C397* tail, whereas basic residues are dispensable. In line with its mimicry of RfaH, C397* RNAP is resistant to Rho but responds to pause signals, NusA, and NusG in vitro similarly to the wild-type enzyme and binds to Rho and Nus factors in vivo. Strikingly, the deletion of rpoZ, which encodes the ω "chaperone" subunit, restores rpoC397* growth at 42°C but has no effect on SDS sensitivity. Our results suggest that the C397* tail traps the ω subunit in an inhibitory state through direct contacts and hinders Rho-dependent termination through long-range interactions. We propose that the dynamic and hypervariable β'•ω module controls RNA synthesis in response to niche-specific signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maura Mittermeier
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nelly Said
- Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Gjorgjevikj
- Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus C Wahl
- Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Irina Artsimovitch
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|