A supramolecular complex in the environmental stress signalling pathway of Bacillus subtilis

Molecular architecture and function of the bacterial stressosome

The bacterial stressosome is a supramolecular multiprotein complex that acts as a critical signal integration and transduction hub, orchestrating cellular responses to environmental stimuli. Recent studies have resolved near-atomic stressosome structures from various bacterial species, revealing assemblies that should be capable of altering their configuration in response to external changes. Further genetic, biochemical, and cell biology research has elucidated interactions and phosphorylation status within the stressosome complex as well as its subcellular localization and mobility within living cells. These insights enhance our comprehension of the stressosome pathways and their roles in directing various survival responses during environmental stress.

The RsfSR two-component system regulates SigF function by monitoring the state of the respiratory electron transport chain in Mycobacterium smegmatis

In Mycobacterium smegmatis, the transcriptional activity of the alternative sigma factor SigF is posttranslationally regulated by the partner switching system consisting of SigF, the anti-SigF RsbW1, and three anti-SigF antagonists (RsfA, RsfB, and RsbW3). We previously demonstrated that expression of the SigF regulon is strongly induced in the Δaa3 mutant of M. smegmatis lacking the aa3 cytochrome c oxidase, the major terminal oxidase in the respiratory electron transport chain. Here, we identified and characterized the RsfSR two-component system involved in regulating the phosphorylation state of the major anti-SigF antagonist RsfB. RsfS (MSMEG_6130) is a histidine kinase with the cyclase/histidine kinase-associated sensing extracellular 3 domain at its N terminus, and RsfR (MSMEG_6131) is a receiver domain-containing protein phosphatase 2C-type phosphatase that can dephosphorylate phosphorylated RsfB. We demonstrated that phosphorylation of RsfR on Asp74 by RsfS reduces the phosphatase activity of RsfR toward phosphorylated RsfB and that the cellular abundance of the active unphosphorylated RsfB is increased in the Δaa3 mutant relative to the WT strain. We also demonstrated that the RsfSR two-component system is required for induction of the SigF regulon under respiration-inhibitory conditions such as inactivation of the cytochrome bcc1 complex and aa3 cytochrome c oxidase, as well as hypoxia, electron donor-limiting, high ionic strength, and low pH conditions. Collectively, our results reveal a key regulatory element involved in regulating the SigF signaling system by monitoring the state of the respiratory electron transport chain.

Temporal σB stress-response profiles impact Bacillus subtilis fitness

The Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis responds to environmental stressors by activating the alternative sigma factor σB. The sensing apparatus upstream of σB activation is thought to consist of cytoplasmic stressosomes-megadalton-sized protein complexes that include five paralogous proteins known as RsbRs. The RsbRs are presumed to be involved in stress sensing and the subsequent response. Perturbations to the RsbR complement in stressosomes by engineering cells that produce only one of the RsbR paralogs ("single-RsbR strains") lead to altered σB response dynamics with respect to timing and magnitude. Here, we asked whether such changes to σB response dynamics impact the relative fitness of a strain. We competed strain pairs with different RsbR complements under ethanol and sodium chloride stress and found not only differences in relative fitness among wild-type and single-RsbR strains but also different relative fitness values in the two different stressors. We found that the presence of RsbRA, which dominates the wild-type σB response, enhances fitness in ethanol but is detrimental to fitness in NaCl. Meanwhile, RsbRD-only cells were among the most fit in NaCl. Strains producing hybrid RsbR fusion proteins displayed different fitness values that depended on the RsbR proteins from which they were derived. Our results here suggest that σB response dynamics can impact fitness, highlighting the physiological importance of the unusual stressosome-based general stress response system of B. subtilis.

IMPORTANCE

The model bacterium Bacillus subtilis uses cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes, termed stressosomes, to activate the alternative sigma factor σB when facing environmental stresses. We have previously shown that genetically manipulating the complement of putative sensor proteins in stressosomes can alter the dynamics of the σB response in terms of its magnitude and timing. However, it is unknown whether these response dynamics impact the fitness of cells challenged by environmental stressors. Here, we examine the fitness of strains with different σB responses by competing strain pairs in exponential-phase co-cultures under environmental stress. We find that strains with different response dynamics show different competitive indices that differ by stressor. These results suggest that the dynamics of the σB response can affect the fitness of cells facing environmental stress, highlighting the relevance of different σB dynamics.

The Vibrio vulnificus stressosome is dispensable in nutrient-rich media

The stressosome is a protein complex that senses environmental stresses and mediates the stress response in several Gram-positive bacteria through the activation of the alternative sigma factor SigB. The stressosome locus is found in 44 % of Gram-negative Vibrio vulnificus isolates. However, V. vulnificus does not possess SigB. Nonetheless, in nutrient-limited media, the stressosome modulates gene transcription and bacterial behaviour. In this work, the expression of the stressosome genes was proven during stationary phase in nutrient-rich media and co-transcription as one operonic unit of the stressosome locus and its putative downstream regulatory locus was demonstrated. The construction of a stressosome mutant lacking the genes encoding the four proteins constituting the stressosome complex (VvRsbR, VvRsbS, VvRsbT, VvRsbX) allowed us to examine the role of this complex in vivo. Extensive phenotypic characterization of the ΔRSTX mutant in nutrient-rich media showed that the stressosome does not contribute to growth of V. vulnificus . Moreover, the stressosome did not modulate the tolerance or survival response of V. vulnificus to the range of stresses tested, which included ethanol, hyperosmolarity, hypoxia, high temperature, acidity and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the stressosome was dispensable for motility and exoenzyme production of V. vulnificus in nutrient-rich media. Therefore, in conclusion, although stressosome gene transcription occurs in nutrient-rich media, the stressosome neither has an essential role in stress responses of V. vulnificus nor does it seem to modulate these activities in these conditions. We hypothesise that the stressosome is expressed in nutrient-rich conditions as a sensor complex, but that activation of the complex does not occur in this environment.

Giving a signal: how protein phosphorylation helps Bacillus navigate through different life stages

Protein phosphorylation is a universal mechanism regulating a wide range of cellular responses across all domains of life. The antagonistic activities of kinases and phosphatases can orchestrate the life cycle of an organism. The availability of bacterial genome sequences, particularly Bacillus species, followed by proteomics and functional studies have aided in the identification of putative protein kinases and protein phosphatases, and their downstream substrates. Several studies have established the role of phosphorylation in different physiological states of Bacillus species as they pass through various life stages such as sporulation, germination, and biofilm formation. The most common phosphorylation sites in Bacillus proteins are histidine, aspartate, tyrosine, serine, threonine, and arginine residues. Protein phosphorylation can alter protein activity, structural conformation, and protein-protein interactions, ultimately affecting the downstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the knowledge available in the field of Bacillus signaling, with a focus on the role of protein phosphorylation in its physiological processes.

Computational and cellular exploration of the protein-protein interaction between Vibrio fischeri STAS domain protein SypA and serine kinase SypE

Anti-sigma factor antagonists SpoIIAA and RsbV from Bacillus subtilis are the archetypes for single-domain STAS proteins in bacteria. The structures and mechanisms of these proteins along with their cognate anti-sigma factors have been well studied. SpoIIAA and RsbV utilize a partner-switching mechanism to regulate gene expression through protein-protein interactions to control the activity of their downstream anti-sigma factor partners. The Vibrio fischeri STAS domain protein SypA is also proposed to employ a partner-switching mechanism with its partner SypE, a serine kinase/phosphatase that controls SypA's phosphorylation state. However, this regulation appears opposite to the canonical pathway, with SypA being the more downstream component rather than SypE. Here we explore the commonalities and differences between SypA and the canonical single-domain STAS proteins SpoIIAA and RsbV. We use a combination of AlphaFold 2 structure predictions and computational modeling to investigate the SypA-SypE binding interface. We then test a subset of our predictions in V.fischeri by generating and expressing SypA variants. Our findings suggest that, while SypA shares many sequence and structural traits with anti-sigma factor antagonist STAS domain proteins, there are significant differences that may account for SypA's distinct regulatory output.

In vivo characterisation of the Vibrio vulnificus stressosome: A complex involved in reshaping glucose metabolism and motility regulation, in nutrient- and iron-limited growth conditions

Stressosomes are signal-sensing and integration hubs identified in many bacteria. At present, the role of the stressosome has only been investigated in Gram-positive bacteria. This work represents the first in vivo characterisation of the stressosome in a Gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus. Previous in vitro characterisation of the complex has led to the hypothesis of a complex involved in iron metabolism and control of c-di-GMP levels. We demonstrate that the stressosome is probably involved in reshaping the glucose metabolism in Fe- and nutrient-limited conditions and mutations of the locus affect the activation of the glyoxylate shunt. Moreover, we show that the stressosome is needed for the transcription of fleQ and to promote motility, consistent with the hypothesis that the stressosome is involved in regulating c-di-GMP. This report highlights the potential role of the stressosome in a Gram-negative bacterium, with implications for the metabolism and motility of this pathogen.

Bacillus subtilis Stressosome Sensor Protein Sequences Govern the Ability To Distinguish among Environmental Stressors and Elicit Different σB Response Profiles

Bacteria use a variety of systems to sense stress and mount an appropriate response to ensure fitness and survival. Bacillus subtilis uses stressosomes-cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes-to sense environmental stressors and enact the general stress response by activating the alternative sigma factor σ^B. Each stressosome includes 40 RsbR proteins, representing four paralogous (RsbRA, RsbRB, RsbRC, and RsbRD) putative stress sensors. Population-level analyses suggested that the RsbR paralogs are largely redundant, while our prior work using microfluidics-coupled fluorescence microscopy uncovered differences among the RsbR paralogs' σ^B response profiles with respect to timing and intensity when facing an identical stressor. Here, we use a similar approach to address the question of whether the σ^B responses mediated by each paralog differ in the presence of different environmental stressors: can they distinguish among stressors? Wild-type cells (with all four paralogs) and RsbRA-only cells activate σ^B with characteristic transient response timing irrespective of stressor but show various response magnitudes. However, cells with other individual RsbR paralogs show distinct timing and magnitude in their responses to ethanol, salt, oxidative, and acid stress, implying that RsbR proteins can distinguish among stressors. Experiments with hybrid fusion proteins comprising the N-terminal half of one paralog and the C-terminal half of another argue that the N-terminal identity influences response magnitude and that determinants in both halves of RsbRA are important for its stereotypical transient σ^B response timing. IMPORTANCE Bacterial survival depends on appropriate responses to diverse stressors. The general stress-response system in the environmental model bacterium Bacillus subtilis is constantly poised for an immediate response and uses unusual stress-sensing protein complexes called stressosomes. Stressosomes typically contain four different types of putative sensing protein. We asked whether each type of sensor has a distinct role in mediating response dynamics to different environmental stressors. We find that one sensor type always mediates a transient response, while the others show distinct response magnitude and timing to different stressors. We also find that a transient response is exceptional, as several engineered hybrid proteins did not show strong transient responses. Our work reveals functional distinctions among subunits of the stressosome complex and represents a step toward understanding how the general stress response of B. subtilis ensures its survival in natural environmental settings.

The Vibrio vulnificus stressosome is an oxygen-sensor involved in regulating iron metabolism

Stressosomes are stress-sensing protein complexes widely conserved among bacteria. Although a role in the regulation of the general stress response is well documented in Gram-positive bacteria, the activating signals are still unclear, and little is known about the physiological function of stressosomes in the Gram-negative bacteria. Here we investigated the stressosome of the Gram-negative marine pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. We demonstrate that it senses oxygen and identified its role in modulating iron-metabolism. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the VvRsbR:VvRsbS stressosome complex, the first solved from a Gram-negative bacterium. The structure points to a variation in the VvRsbR and VvRsbS stoichiometry and a symmetry breach in the oxygen sensing domain of VvRsbR, suggesting how signal-sensing elicits a stress response. The findings provide a link between ligand-dependent signaling and an output – regulation of iron metabolism - for a stressosome complex.

A cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of a stressosome complex from a Gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, reveals variations in subunit composition and symmetry, which could serve to adjust the activation threshold in the response to low levels of oxygen and starvation.

Acid stress signals are integrated into the σB-dependent general stress response pathway via the stressosome in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes

The general stress response (GSR) in Listeria monocytogenes plays a critical role in the survival of this pathogen in the host gastrointestinal tract. The GSR is regulated by the alternative sigma factor B (σ^B), whose role in protection against acid stress is well established. Here, we investigated the involvement of the stressosome, a sensory hub, in transducing low pH signals to induce the GSR. Mild acid shock (15 min at pH 5.0) activated σ^B and conferred protection against a subsequent lethal pH challenge. A mutant strain where the stressosome subunit RsbR1 was solely present retained the ability to induce σ^B activity at pH 5.0. The role of stressosome phosphorylation in signal transduction was investigated by mutating the putative phosphorylation sites in the core stressosome proteins RsbR1 (rsbR1-T175A, -T209A, -T241A) and RsbS (rsbS-S56A), or the stressosome kinase RsbT (rsbT-N49A). The rsbS S56A and rsbT N49A mutations abolished the response to low pH. The rsbR1-T209A and rsbR1-T241A mutants displayed constitutive σ^B activity. Mild acid shock upregulates invasion genes inlAB and stimulates epithelial cell invasion, effects that were abolished in mutants with an inactive or overactive stressosome. Overall, the results show that the stressosome is required for acid-induced activation of σ^B in L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, they show that RsbR1 can function independently of its paralogues and signal transduction requires RsbT-mediated phosphorylation of RsbS on S56 and RsbR1 on T209 but not T175. These insights shed light on the mechanisms of signal transduction that activate the GSR in L. monocytogenes in response to acidic environments, and highlight the role this sensory process in the early stages of the infectious cycle.

The stress sensing hub known as the stressosome, found in many bacterial and archaeal lineages, plays a crucial role in both stress tolerance and virulence in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. However, the mechanisms that lead to its activation and the subsequent activation of the general stress response have remained elusive. In this study, we examined the signal transduction mechanisms that operate in the stressosome in response to acid stress. We found that only one of the five putative sensory proteins present in L. monocytogenes, RsbR1, was required for effective transduction of acid tress signals. We further found that phosphorylation of RsbS and RsbR1, mediated by the RsbT kinase, is essential for signal transduction. Failure to phosphorylate RsbS on Serine 56 completely abolished acid sensing by the stressosome, which prevented the development of adaptive acid tolerance. The acid-induced activation of internalin gene expression was also abolished in mutants with defective stressosome signalling, suggesting a role for the stressosome in the invasion of host cells. Together the data provide new insights into the mechanisms that activate the stressosome in response to acid stress and highlight the role this sensory hub plays in virulence.

Extracellular haem utilization by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its role in virulence and pathogenesis

Iron is an essential micronutrient for all bacteria but presents a significant challenge given its limited bioavailability. Furthermore, iron's toxicity combined with the need to maintain iron levels within a narrow physiological range requires integrated systems to sense, regulate and transport a variety of iron complexes. Most bacteria encode systems to chelate and transport ferric iron (Fe³⁺) via siderophore receptor mediated uptake or via cytoplasmic energy dependent transport systems. Pathogenic bacteria have further lowered the barrier to iron acquisition by employing systems to utilize haem as a source of iron. Haem, a lipophilic and toxic molecule, presents a significant challenge for transport into the cell. As such pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated cell surface signaling (CSS) and transport systems to sense and obtain haem from the host. Once internalized haem is cleaved by both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms to release iron. Herein we summarize our current understanding of the mechanism of haem sensing, uptake and utilization in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its role in pathogenesis and virulence, and the potential of these systems as antimicrobial targets.

Listeria monocytogenes requires the RsbX protein to prevent SigB-activation under non-stressed conditions

The survival of microbial cells under changing environmental conditions requires an efficient reprogramming of transcription, often mediated by alternative sigma factors. The Gram-positive human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes senses and responds to environmental stress mainly through the alternative sigma factor σ^B (SigB), which controls expression of the general stress response regulon. SigB activation is achieved through a complex series of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events culminating in the release of SigB from its anti-sigma factor RsbW. At the top of the signal transduction pathway lies a large multiprotein complex known as the stressosome that is believed to act as a sensory hub for stresses. Following signal detection, stressosome proteins become phosphorylated. Resetting of the stressosome is hypothesized to be exerted by a putative phosphatase, RsbX, which presumably removes phosphate groups from stressosome proteins poststress. We addressed the role of the RsbX protein in modulating the activity of the stressosome and consequently regulating SigB activity in L. monocytogenes. We show that RsbX is required to reduce SigB activation levels under nonstress conditions and that it is required for appropriate SigB-mediated stress adaptation. A strain lacking RsbX displayed impaired motility and biofilm formation and also an increased survival at low pH. Our results could suggest that absence of RsbX alters the multiprotein composition of the stressosome without dramatically affecting its phosphorylation status. Overall, the data show that RsbX plays a critical role in modulating the signal transduction pathway by blocking SigB activation under nonstressed conditions.

IMPORTANCE Pathogenic bacteria need to sense and respond to stresses to survive harsh environments and also to turn off the response when no longer facing stress. Activity of the stress sigma factor SigB in the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is controlled by a hierarchic system having a large stress-sensing multiprotein complex known as the stressosome at the top. Following stress exposure, proteins in the stressosome become phosphorylated, leading to SigB activation. We have studied the role of a putative phosphatase, RsbX, which is hypothesized to dephosphorylate stressosome proteins. RsbX is critical not only to switch off the stress response poststress but also to keep the activity of SigB low at nonstressed conditions to prevent unnecessary gene expression and save energy.

Photoreaction Dynamics of a Full-Length Protein YtvA and Intermolecular Interaction with RsbRA

YtvA from Bacillus subtilis is a sensor protein that responds to blue light stress and regulates the activity of transcription factor σ^B. It is composed of the N-terminal LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) domain, the C-terminal STAS (sulfate transporter and anti-sigma factor antagonist) domain, and a linker region connecting them. In this study, the photoreaction and kinetics of full-length YtvA and the intermolecular interaction with a downstream protein, RsbRA, were revealed by the transient grating method. Although N-YLOV-linker, which is composed of the LOV domain of YtvA with helices A'α and Jα, exhibits a diffusion change due to the rotational motion of the helices, the YtvA dimer does not show the diffusion change. This result suggests that the STAS domain inhibits the rotational movement of helices A'α and Jα. We found that the YtvA dimer formed a heterotetramer with the RsbRA dimer probably via the interaction between the STAS domains, and we showed the diffusion change upon blue light illumination with a time constant faster than 70 μs. This result suggests a conformational change of the STAS domains; i.e., the interface between the STAS domains of the proteins changes to enhance the friction with water by the rotation structural change of helices A'α and Jα of YtvA.

Impact of osmotic stress on the phosphorylation and subcellular location of Listeria monocytogenes stressosome proteins

Listeria monocytogenes responds to environmental stress using a supra-macromolecular complex, the stressosome, to activate the stress sigma factor SigB. The stressosome structure, inferred from in vitro-assembled complexes, consists of the core proteins RsbR (here renamed RsbR1) and RsbS and, the kinase RsbT. The active complex is proposed to be tethered to the membrane and to support RsbR1/RsbS phosphorylation by RsbT and the subsequent release of RsbT following signal perception. Here, we show in actively-growing cells that L. monocytogenes RsbR1 and RsbS localize mostly in the cytosol in a fully phosphorylated state regardless of osmotic stress. RsbT however distributes between cytosolic and membrane-associated pools. The kinase activity of RsbT on RsbR1/RsbS and its requirement for maximal SigB activation in response to osmotic stress were demonstrated in vivo. Cytosolic RsbR1 interacts with RsbT, while this interaction diminishes at the membrane when RsbR1 paralogues (RsbR2, RsbR3 and RsbL) are present. Altogether, the data support a model in which phosphorylated RsbR1/RsbS may sustain basal SigB activity in unstressed cells, probably assuring a rapid increase in such activity in response to stress. Our findings also suggest that in vivo the active RsbR1-RsbS-RsbT complex forms only transiently and that membrane-associated RsbR1 paralogues could modulate its assembly.

The Partner Switching System of the SigF Sigma Factor in Mycobacterium smegmatis and Induction of the SigF Regulon Under Respiration-Inhibitory Conditions

The partner switching system (PSS) of the SigF regulatory pathway in Mycobacterium smegmatis has been previously demonstrated to include the anti-sigma factor RsbW (MSMEG_1803) and two anti-sigma factor antagonists RsfA and RsfB. In this study, we further characterized two additional RsbW homologs and revealed the distinct roles of three RsbW homologs [RsbW1 (MSMEG_1803), RsbW2 (MSMEG_6129), and RsbW3 (MSMEG_1787)] in the SigF PSS. RsbW1 and RsbW2 serve as the anti-sigma factor of SigF and the protein kinase phosphorylating RsfB, respectively, while RsbW3 functions as an anti-SigF antagonist through its protein interaction with RsbW1. Using relevant mutant strains, RsfB was demonstrated to be the major anti-SigF antagonist in M. smegmatis. The phosphorylation state of Ser-63 was shown to determine the functionality of RsfB as an anti-SigF antagonist. RsbW2 was demonstrated to be the only protein kinase that phosphorylates RsfB in M. smegmatis. Phosphorylation of Ser-63 inactivates RsfB to render it unable to interact with RsbW1. Our comparative RNA sequencing analysis of the wild-type strain of M. smegmatis and its isogenic Δaa₃ mutant strain lacking the aa₃ cytochrome c oxidase of the respiratory electron transport chain revealed that expression of the SigF regulon is strongly induced under respiration-inhibitory conditions in an RsfB-dependent way.

The Stress-Responsive Alternative Sigma Factor SigB of Bacillus subtilis and Its Relatives: An Old Friend With New Functions

Alternative sigma factors have led the core RNA polymerase (RNAP) to recognize different sets of promoters to those recognized by the housekeeping sigma A-directed RNAP. This change in RNAP promoter selectivity allows a rapid and flexible reformulation of the genetic program to face environmental and metabolic stimuli that could compromise bacterial fitness. The model bacterium Bacillus subtilis constitutes a matchless living system in the study of the role of alternative sigma factors in gene regulation and physiology. SigB from B. subtilis was the first alternative sigma factor described in bacteria. Studies of SigB during the last 40 years have shown that it controls a genetic universe of more than 150 genes playing crucial roles in stress response, adaption, and survival. Activation of SigB relies on three separate pathways that specifically respond to energy, environmental, and low temperature stresses. SigB homologs, present in other Gram-positive bacteria, also play important roles in virulence against mammals. Interestingly, during recent years, other unexpected B. subtilis responses were found to be controlled by SigB. In particular, SigB controls the efficiencies of spore and biofilm formation, two important features that play critical roles in adaptation and survival in planktonic and sessile B. subtilis communities. In B. subtilis, SigB induces the expression of the Spo0E aspartyl-phosphatase, which is responsible for the blockage of sporulation initiation. The upregulated activity of Spo0E connects the two predominant adaptive pathways (i.e., sporulation and stress response) present in B. subtilis. In addition, the RsbP serine-phosphatase, belonging to the energy stress arm of the SigB regulatory cascade, controls the expression of the key transcription factor SinR to decide whether cells residing in the biofilm remain in and maintain biofilm growth or scape to colonize new niches through biofilm dispersal. SigB also intervenes in the recognition of and response to surrounding microorganisms, a new SigB role that could have an agronomic impact. SigB is induced when B. subtilis is confronted with phytopathogenic fungi (e.g., Fusarium verticillioides) and halts fungal growth to the benefit of plant growth. In this article, we update and review literature on the different regulatory networks that control the activation of SigB and the new roles that have been described the recent years.

The σB-Mediated General Stress Response of Listeria monocytogenes: Life and Death Decision Making in a Pathogen

Sensing and responding to environmental cues is critical for the adaptability and success of the food-borne bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. A supramolecular multi-protein complex known as the stressosome, which acts as a stress sensing hub, is responsible for orchestrating the activation of a signal transduction pathway resulting in the activation of σ^B, the sigma factor that controls the general stress response (GSR). When σ^B is released from the anti-sigma factor RsbW, a rapid up-regulation of the large σ^B regulon, comprised of ≥ 300 genes, ensures that cells respond appropriately to the new environmental conditions. A diversity of stresses including low pH, high osmolarity, and blue light are known to be sensed by the stressosome, resulting in a generalized increase in stress resistance. Appropriate activation of the stressosome and deployment of σ^B are critical to fitness as there is a trade-off between growth and stress protection when the GSR is deployed. We review the recent developments in this field and describe an up-to-date model of how this sensory organelle might integrate environmental signals to produce an appropriate activation of the GSR. Some of the outstanding questions and challenges in this fascinating field are also discussed.

Structural insights into the regulation of SigB activity by RsbV and RsbW

Bacillus subtilis SigB is an alternative sigma factor that initiates the transcription of stress-responsive genes. The anti-sigma factor RsbW tightly binds SigB to suppress its activity under normal growth conditions and releases it when nonphosphorylated RsbV binds to RsbW in response to stress signals. To understand the regulation of SigB activity by RsbV and RsbW based on structural features, crystal structures and a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) envelope structure of the RsbV-RsbW complex were determined. The crystal structures showed that RsbV and RsbW form a heterotetramer in a similar manner to a SpoIIAA-SpoIIAB tetramer. Multi-angle light scattering and SAXS revealed that the RsbV-RsbW complex is an octamer in solution. Superimposition of the crystal structure on the SAXS envelope structure showed that the unique dimeric interface of RsbW mediates the formation of an RsbV-RsbW octamer and does not prevent RsbV and SigB from binding to RsbW. These results provide structural insights into the molecular assembly of the RsbV-RsbW complex and the regulation of SigB activity.

Mild Stress Conditions during Laboratory Culture Promote the Proliferation of Mutations That Negatively Affect Sigma B Activity in Listeria monocytogenes

In Listeria monocytogenes, the full details of how stress signals are integrated into the σB regulatory pathway are not yet available. To help shed light on this question, we investigated a collection of transposon mutants that were predicted to have compromised activity of the alternative sigma factor B (σB). These mutants were tested for acid tolerance, a trait that is known to be under σB regulation, and they were found to display increased acid sensitivity, similar to a mutant lacking σB (ΔsigB). The transposon insertions were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing, but in each case, the strains were also found to carry a frameshift mutation in the sigB operon. The changes were predicted to result in premature stop codons, with negative consequences for σB activation, independently of the transposon location. Reduced σB activation in these mutants was confirmed. Growth measurements under conditions similar to those used during the construction of the transposon library revealed that the frameshifted sigB operon alleles conferred a growth advantage at higher temperatures, during late exponential phase. Mixed-culture experiments at 42°C demonstrated that the loss of σB activity allowed mutants to take over a population of parental bacteria. Together, our results suggest that mutations affecting σB activity can arise during laboratory culture because of the growth advantage conferred by these mutations under mild stress conditions. The data highlight the significant cost of stress protection in this foodborne pathogen and emphasize the need for whole-genome sequence analysis of newly constructed strains to confirm the expected genotype.IMPORTANCE In the present study, we investigated a collection of Listeria monocytogenes strains that all carried sigB operon mutations. The mutants all had reduced σB activity and were found to have a growth advantage under conditions of mild heat stress (42°C). In mixed cultures, these mutants outcompeted the wild type when mild heat stress was present but not at an optimal growth temperature. An analysis of 22,340 published L. monocytogenes genome sequences found a high rate of premature stop codons present in genes positively regulating σB activity. Together, these findings suggest that the occurrence of mutations that attenuate σB activity can be favored under conditions of mild stress, probably highlighting the burden on cellular resources that stems from deploying the general stress response.

Structural insights into stressosome assembly

The stressosome transduces environmental stress signals to SigB to upregulate SigB-dependent transcription, which is required for bacterial viability. The stressosome core is composed of RsbS and at least one of the RsbR paralogs. A previous cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the RsbRA-RsbS complex determined under a D2 symmetry restraint showed that the stressosome core forms a pseudo-icosahedron consisting of 60 STAS domains of RsbRA and RsbS. However, it is still unclear how RsbS and one of the RsbR paralogs assemble into the stressosome. Here, an assembly model of the stressosome is presented based on the crystal structure of the RsbS icosahedron and cryo-EM structures of the RsbRA-RsbS complex determined under diverse symmetry restraints (nonsymmetric C1, dihedral D2 and icosahedral I envelopes). 60 monomers of the crystal structure of RsbS fitted well into the I-restrained cryo-EM structure determined at 4.1 Å resolution, even though the STAS domains in the I envelope were averaged. This indicates that RsbS and RsbRA share a highly conserved STAS fold. 22 protrusions observed in the C1 envelope, corresponding to dimers of the RsbRA N-domain, allowed the STAS domains of RsbRA and RsbS to be distinguished in the stressosome core. Based on these, the model of the stressosome core was reconstructed. The mutation of RsbRA residues at the binding interface in the model (R189A/Q191A) significantly reduced the interaction between RsbRA and RsbS. These results suggest that nonconserved residues in the conserved STAS folds between RsbS and RsbR paralogs determine stressosome assembly.

A partner-switching system controls activation of mixed-linkage β-glucan synthesis by c-di-GMP in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Sinorhizobium meliloti synthesizes a linear mixed-linkage (1 → 3)(1 → 4)-β-d-glucan (ML β-glucan, MLG) in response to high levels of cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP). Two proteins BgsA and BgsB are required for MLG synthesis, BgsA being the glucan synthase which is activated upon c-di-GMP binding to its C-terminal domain. Here we report that the product of bgrR (SMb20447) is a diguanylate cyclase (DGC) that provides c-di-GMP for the synthesis of MLG by BgsA. bgrR is the first gene of a hexacistronic bgrRSTUWV operon, likely encoding a partner-switching regulatory network where BgrR is the final target. Using different approaches, we have determined that the products of genes bgrU (containing a putative PP2C serine phosphatase domain) and bgrW (with predicted kinase effector domain), modulate the phosphorylation status and the activity of the STAS domain protein BgrV. We propose that unphosphorylated BgrV inhibits BgrR DGC activity, perhaps through direct protein-protein interactions as established for other partner switchers. A bgrRSTUWV operon coexists with MLG structural bgsBA genes in many rhizobial genomes but is also present in some MLG non-producers, suggesting a role of this partner-switching system in other processes besides MLG biosynthesis.

Resilience to oxidative and nitrosative stress is mediated by the stressosome, RsbP and SigB in Bacillus subtilis

A bacterium's ability to thrive in the presence of multiple environmental stressors simultaneously determines its resilience. We showed that activation of the SigB-controlled general stress response by mild environmental or energy stress provided significant cross-protection to subsequent lethal oxidative, disulfide and nitrosative stress in Bacillus subtilis. SigB activation is mediated via the stressosome and RsbP, the main conduits of environmental and energy stress, respectively. Cells exposed to mild environmental stress while lacking the major stressosome components RsbT or RsbRA were highly sensitive to subsequent oxidative stress, whereas rsbRB, rsbRC, rsbRD, and ytvA null mutants showed a spectrum of sensitivity, confirming their redundant roles and suggesting they could modulate the signals generated by environmental or oxidative stress. By contrast, cells encountering stationary phase stress required RsbP but not RsbT to survive subsequent oxidative stress. Interestingly, optimum cross-protection against nitrosative stress caused by sodium nitropruside required SigB but not the known regulators, RsbT and RsbP, suggesting an additional and as yet uncharacterized route of SigB activation independent of the known regulators. Together, these results provide mechanistic information on how B. subtilis promotes enhanced resistance against lethal oxidative stress during mild environmental and energy stress conditions.

Regulation of bacterial surface attachment by a network of sensory transduction proteins

Bacteria are often attached to surfaces in natural ecosystems. A surface-associated lifestyle can have advantages, but shifts in the physiochemical state of the environment may result in conditions in which attachment has a negative fitness impact. Therefore, bacteria employ numerous mechanisms to control the transition from an unattached to a sessile state. The Caulobacter crescentus protein HfiA is a potent developmental inhibitor of the secreted polysaccharide adhesin known as the holdfast, which enables permanent attachment to surfaces. Multiple environmental cues influence expression of hfiA, but mechanisms of hfiA regulation remain largely undefined. Through a forward genetic selection, we have discovered a multi-gene network encoding a suite of two-component system (TCS) proteins and transcription factors that coordinately control hfiA transcription, holdfast development and surface adhesion. The hybrid HWE-family histidine kinase, SkaH, is central among these regulators and forms heteromeric complexes with the kinases, LovK and SpdS. The response regulator SpdR indirectly inhibits hfiA expression by activating two XRE-family transcription factors that directly bind the hfiA promoter to repress its transcription. This study provides evidence for a model in which a consortium of environmental sensors and transcriptional regulators integrate environmental cues at the hfiA promoter to control the attachment decision.

Living on a surface within a community of cells confers a number of advantages to a bacterium. However, the transition from a free-living, planktonic state to a surface-attached lifestyle should be tightly regulated to ensure that cells avoid adhering to toxic or resource-limited niches. Many bacteria build adhesive structures on the surface of their cell envelopes that enable attachment. We sought to discover genes that control development of the Caulobacter crescentus surface adhesin known as the holdfast. Our studies uncovered a network of signal transduction proteins that coordinately control the biosynthesis of the holdfast by regulating transcription of the holdfast inhibitor, hfiA. We conclude that C. crescentus uses a multi-component regulatory system to sense and integrate environmental information to determine whether to attach to a surface, or to remain in an unattached state.

Role and regulation of the stress activated sigma factor sigma B (σB) in the saprophytic and host-associated life stages of Listeria monocytogenes

The stress activated sigma factor sigma B (σ^B) plays a pivotal role in allowing the food-borne bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to modulate its transcriptional landscape in order to survive in a variety of harsh environments both outside and within the host. While we have a comparatively good understanding of the systems under the control of this sigma factor much less is known about how the activity of σ^B is controlled. In this review, we present a current model describing how this sigma factor is thought to be controlled including an overview of what is known about stress sensing and the early signal transduction events that trigger its activation. We discuss the known regulatory overlaps between σ^B and other protein and RNA regulators in the cell. Finally, we describe the role of σ^B in surviving both saprophytic and host-associated stresses. The complexity of the regulation of this sigma factor reflects the significant role that it plays in the persistence of this important pathogen in the natural environment, the food chain as well as within the host during the early stages of an infection. Understanding its regulation will be a critical step in helping to develop rational strategies to prevent its growth and survival in the food destined for human consumption and in the prevention of listeriosis.

Temporal regulation of σB by partner-switching mechanism at a distinct growth stage in Bacillus cereus

The alternative transcription factor σ^B in Bacillus cereus governs the transcription of a number of genes that confer protection against general stress. This transcription factor is regulated by protein-protein interactions among RsbV, RsbW, σ^B, RsbY, RsbM and RsbK, all encoded in the sigB cluster. Among these regulatory proteins, RsbV, RsbW and σ^B comprise a partner-switching mechanism. Under normal conditions, σ^B remains inactive by associating with anti-sigma factor RsbW, which prevents σ^B from binding to the core RNA polymerase. During environmental stress, RsbK activates RsbY to hydrolyze phosphorylated RsbV, and the dephosphorylated RsbV then sequesters RsbW to liberate σ^B from RsbW. Although the σ^B partner-switching module is thought to be the core mechanism for σ^B regulation, the actual protein-protein interactions among these three proteins in the cell remain to be investigated. In the current study, we show that RsbW and RsbV form a long-lived complex under transient stress treatment, resulting in high persistent expression of RsbV, RsbW and σ^B from mid-log phase to stationary phase. Full sequestration of RsbW by excess RsbV and increased RsbW:RsbV complex stability afforded by cellular ADP contribute to the prolonged activation of σ^B. Interestingly, the high expression levels of RsbV, RsbW and σ^B were dramatically decreased beginning from the transition stage to the stationary phase. Thus, protein interactions among σ^B partner-switching components are required for the continued induction of σ^B during environmental stress in the log phase and significant down-regulation of σ^B is observed in the stationary phase. Our data show that σ^B is temporally regulated in B. cereus.

Use of a microfluidic platform to uncover basic features of energy and environmental stress responses in individual cells of Bacillus subtilis

Bacteria use a variety of stress-sensing systems to sense and respond to diverse stressors and to ensure their survival under adverse conditions. The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis responds to energy stress (ATP depletion) and to environmental stressors using two distinct stress-sensing pathways that converge on the alternative sigma factor σB to provoke a general stress response. Past efforts to study the σB stress response in bulk culture and on agarose pads were unable to visualize the responses of individual cells under tightly controlled conditions for extended periods of time. Here we use a microfluidics-based strategy to discern the basic features of σB activation in single cells in response to energy and environmental stress, both immediately upon stressor exposure and for tens of generations thereafter. Upon energy stress at various levels of stressor, cells exhibited fast, transient, and amplitude-modulated responses but not frequency modulation as previously reported. Upon environmental stress, which is mediated by the stressosome complex, wild-type cells primarily exhibited a transient and amplitude-modulated response. However, mutant cells producing only one of the four paralogous RsbR stressosome proteins showed striking and previously unseen differences. Whereas RsbRA-only cells mimicked the wild type, RsbRC-only cells displayed a slower but sustained overall response composed of repeated activation events in single cells.

Extracellular Heme Uptake and the Challenge of Bacterial Cell Membranes

Iron is essential for the survival of most bacteria but presents a significant challenge given its limited bioavailability. Furthermore, the toxicity of iron combined with the need to maintain physiological iron levels within a narrow concentration range requires sophisticated systems to sense, regulate, and transport iron. Most bacteria have evolved mechanisms to chelate and transport ferric iron (Fe³⁺) via siderophore receptor systems, and pathogenic bacteria have further lowered this barrier by employing mechanisms to utilize the host's hemoproteins. Once internalized, heme is cleaved by both oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms to release iron. Heme, itself a lipophilic and toxic molecule, presents a significant challenge for transport into the cell. As such, pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated cell surface signaling and transport systems to obtain heme from the host. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the heme-sensing and transport systems of pathogenic bacteria and the potential of these systems as antimicrobial targets.

Impact of hypoxia on gene expression patterns by the human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus, and bacterial community composition in a North Carolina estuary

Estuarine environments are continuously being shaped by both natural and anthropogenic sources which directly/indirectly influence the organisms that inhabit these important niches on both individual and community levels. Human infections caused by pathogenic Vibrio species are continuing to rise, and factors associated with global climate change have been suggested to be impacting their abundance and geographical range. Along with temperature, hypoxia has also increased dramatically in the last 40 years, which has led to persistent dead zones worldwide in areas where these infections are increasing. Thus, utilizing membrane diffusion chambers, we investigated the impact of in situ hypoxia on the gene expression of one such bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, which is an inhabitant of these vulnerable areas worldwide. By coupling these data with multiple abiotic factors, we were able to demonstrate that genes involved in numerous functions, including those involved in virulence, environmental persistence, and stressosome production, were negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. Furthermore, comparing 16S ribosomal RNA, we found similar overall community compositions during both hypoxia and normoxia. However, unweighted beta diversity analyses revealed that although certain classes of bacteria dominate in both low- and high-oxygen environments, there is the potential for quantitative shifts in lower abundant species, which may be important for effective risk assessment in areas that are becoming increasingly more hypoxic. This study emphasizes the importance of investigating hypoxia as a trigger for gene expression changes by marine Vibrio species and highlights the need for more in depth community analyses during estuarine hypoxia.

Structure and Function of the Stressosome Signalling Hub

The stressosome is a multi-protein signal integration and transduction hub found in a wide range of bacterial species. The role that the stressosome plays in regulating the transcription of genes involved in the general stress response has been studied most extensively in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. The stressosome receives and relays the signal(s) that initiate a complex phosphorylation-dependent partner switching cascade, resulting in the activation of the alternative sigma factor σ^B. This sigma factor controls transcription of more than 150 genes involved in the general stress response. X-ray crystal structures of individual components of the stressosome and single-particle cryo-EM reconstructions of stressosome complexes, coupled with biochemical and single cell analyses, have permitted a detailed understanding of the dynamic signalling behaviour that arises from this multi-protein complex. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses indicate that genetic modules encoding key stressosome proteins are found in a wide range of bacterial species, indicating an evolutionary advantage afforded by stressosome complexes. Interestingly, the genetic modules are associated with a variety of signalling modules encoding secondary messenger regulation systems, as well as classical two-component signal transduction systems, suggesting a diversification in function. In this chapter we review the current research into stressosome systems and discuss the functional implications of the unique structure of these signalling complexes.

Regulation of bacterial heat shock stimulons

All organisms developed genetic programs to allow their survival under stressful conditions. In most cases, they increase the amount of a specific class of proteins which deal with the stress factor and allow cells to adapt to life-threatening conditions. One class of stress proteins are the heat shock proteins (HSPs) the amount of which is significantly increased after a sudden temperature rise. How is the heat shock response (HSR) regulated in bacteria? This has been studied in detail in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces spp. Two major mechanisms have been described so far to regulate expression of the HSGs, namely alternative sigma factors and transcriptional repressors. This review focuses on the regulatory details of the different heat shock regulons in the three well-studied bacterial species.

An O2-sensing stressosome from a Gram-negative bacterium

Bacteria have evolved numerous pathways to sense and respond to changing environmental conditions, including, within Gram-positive bacteria, the stressosome complex that regulates transcription of general stress response genes. However, the signalling molecules recognized by Gram-positive stressosomes have yet to be identified, hindering our understanding of the signal transduction mechanism within the complex. Furthermore, an analogous pathway has yet to be described in Gram-negative bacteria. Here we characterize a putative stressosome from the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio brasiliensis. The sensor protein RsbR binds haem and exhibits ligand-dependent control of the stressosome complex activity. Oxygen binding to the haem decreases activity, while ferrous RsbR results in increased activity, suggesting that the V. brasiliensis stressosome may be activated when the bacterium enters anaerobic growth conditions. The findings provide a model system for investigating ligand-dependent signalling within stressosome complexes, as well as insights into potential pathways controlled by oxygen-dependent signalling within Vibrio species.

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty: Sigma Factor B Fine-Tunes Gene Expression To Support Homeostasis in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria are ubiquitous and diverse microorganisms that can survive and sometimes even thrive in continuously changing environments. The key to such resilience is the ability of members of a population to respond and adjust to dynamic conditions in the environment. In bacteria, such responses and adjustments are mediated, at least in part, through appropriate changes in the bacterial transcriptome in response to the conditions encountered. Resilience is important for bacterial survival in diverse, complex, and rapidly changing environments and requires coordinated networks that integrate individual, mechanistic responses to environmental cues to enable overall metabolic homeostasis. In many Gram-positive bacteria, a key transcriptional regulator of the response to changing environmental conditions is the alternative sigma factor σ(B) σ(B) has been characterized in a subset of Gram-positive bacteria, including the genera Bacillus, Listeria, and Staphylococcus Recent insight from next-generation-sequencing results indicates that σ(B)-dependent regulation of gene expression contributes to resilience, i.e., the coordination of complex networks responsive to environmental changes. This review explores contributions of σ(B) to resilience in Bacillus, Listeria, and Staphylococcus and illustrates recently described regulatory functions of σ(B).

Activation of the General Stress Response of Bacillus subtilis by Visible Light

A key challenge for microbiology is to understand how evolution has shaped the wiring of regulatory networks. This is amplified by the paucity of information of power-spectra of physicochemical stimuli to which microorganisms are exposed. Future studies of genome evolution, driven by altered stimulus regimes, will therefore require a versatile signal transduction system that allows accurate signal dosing. Here, we review the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis, and its upstream signal transduction network, as a candidate system. It can be activated by red and blue light, and by many additional stimuli. Signal integration therefore is an intricate function of this system. The blue-light response is elicited via the photoreceptor YtvA, which forms an integral part of stressosomes, to activate expression of the stress regulon of B. subtilis. Signal transfer through this network can be assayed with reporter enzymes, while intermediate steps can be studied with live-cell imaging of fluorescently tagged proteins. Different parts of this system have been studied in vitro, such that its computational modeling has made significant progress. One can directly relate the microscopic characteristics of YtvA with activation of the general stress regulon, making this system a very well-suited system for network evolution studies.

Structure of the RsbX phosphatase involved in the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis

In the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis, which is governed by the sigma factor σ(B), stress signalling is relayed by a cascade of Rsb proteins that regulate σ(B) activity. RsbX, a PPM II phosphatase, halts the response by dephosphorylating the stressosome composed of RsbR and RsbS. The crystal structure of RsbX reveals a reorganization of the catalytic centre, with the second Mn(2+) ion uniquely coordinated by Gly47 O from the β4-α1 loop instead of a water molecule as in PPM I phosphatases. An extra helical turn of α1 tilts the loop towards the metal-binding site, and the β2-β3 loop swings outwards to accommodate this tilting. The residues critical for this defining feature of the PPM II phosphatases are highly conserved. Formation of the catalytic centre is metal-specific, as crystallization with Mg(2+) ions resulted in a shift of the β4-α1 loop that led to loss of the second ion. RsbX also lacks the flap subdomain characteristic of PPM I phosphatases. On the basis of a stressosome model, the activity of RsbX towards RsbR-P and RsbS-P may be influenced by the different accessibilities of their phosphorylation sites.

Haem-based sensors: a still growing old superfamily

The haem-based sensors are chimeric multi-domain proteins responsible for the cellular adaptive responses to environmental changes. The signal transduction is mediated by the sensing capability of the haem-binding domain, which transmits a usable signal to the cognate transmitter domain, responsible for providing the adequate answer. Four major families of haem-based sensors can be recognized, depending on the nature of the haem-binding domain: (i) the haem-binding PAS domain, (ii) the CO-sensitive carbon monoxide oxidation activator, (iii) the haem NO-binding domain, and (iv) the globin-coupled sensors. The functional classification of the haem-binding sensors is based on the activity of the transmitter domain and, traditionally, comprises: (i) sensors with aerotactic function; (ii) sensors with gene-regulating function; and (iii) sensors with unknown function. We have implemented this classification with newly identified proteins, that is, the Streptomyces avermitilis and Frankia sp. that present a C-terminal-truncated globin fused to an N-terminal cofactor-free monooxygenase, the structural-related class of non-haem globins in Bacillus subtilis, Moorella thermoacetica, and Bacillus anthracis, and a haemerythrin-coupled diguanylate cyclase in Vibrio cholerae. This review summarizes the structures, the functions, and the structure-function relationships known to date on this broad protein family. We also propose unresolved questions and new possible research approaches.

Genetic evidence for a phosphorylation-independent signal transduction mechanism within the Bacillus subtilis stressosome

The stressosome is a 1.8 MDa cytoplasmic complex that controls diverse bacterial signaling pathways. Its role is best understood in Bacillus subtilis, where it activates the σ^B transcription factor in response to a variety of sharp environmental challenges, including acid, ethanol, heat or salt stress. However, details of the signaling mechanism within the stressosome remain uncertain. The core of the complex comprises one or more members of the RsbR co-antagonist family together with the RsbS antagonist protein, which binds the RsbT kinase in the absence of stress. As part of the response, RsbT first phosphorylates the RsbRA co-antagonist on T171 and then RsbS on S59; this latter event correlates with the stress-induced release of RsbT to activate downstream signaling. Here we examine the in vivo consequence of S59 phosphorylation in a model strain whose stressosome core is formed solely with the RsbRA co-antagonist and RsbS. A phosphorylation-deficient S59A substitution in RsbS blocked response to mild stress but had declining impact as stress increased: with strong ethanol challenge response with S59A was 60% as robust as with wild type RsbS. Genetic analysis narrowed this S59-independent activation to the stressosome and established that significant signaling still occurred in a strain bearing both the T171A and S59A substitutions. We infer that S59 phosphorylation increases signaling efficiency but is not essential, and that a second (or underlying) mechanism of signal transduction prevails in its absence. This interpretation nullifies models in which stressosome signaling is solely mediated by control of RsbT kinase activity toward S59.

Simulations of stressosome activation emphasize allosteric interactions between RsbR and RsbT

BACKGROUND

The stressosome is a bacterial signalling complex that responds to environmental changes by initiating a protein partner switching cascade, which leads to the release of the alternative sigma factor, σB. Stress perception increases the phosphorylation of the stressosome sensor protein, RsbR, and the scaffold protein, RsbS, by the protein kinase, RsbT. Subsequent dissociation of RsbT from the stressosome activates the σB cascade. However, the sequence of physical events that occur in the stressosome during signal transduction is insufficiently understood.

RESULTS

Here, we use computational modelling to correlate the structure of the stressosome with the efficiency of the phosphorylation reactions that occur upon activation by stress. In our model, the phosphorylation of any stressosome protein is dependent upon its nearest neighbours and their phosphorylation status. We compare different hypotheses about stressosome activation and find that only the model representing the allosteric activation of the kinase RsbT, by phosphorylated RsbR, qualitatively reproduces the experimental data.

CONCLUSIONS

Our simulations and the associated analysis of published data support the following hypotheses: (i) a simple Boolean model is capable of reproducing stressosome dynamics, (ii) different stressors induce identical stressosome activation patterns, and we also confirm that (i) phosphorylated RsbR activates RsbT, and (ii) the main purpose of RsbX is to dephosphorylate RsbS-P.

The Bacillus subtilis stressosome: A signal integration and transduction hub

The stressosome is a unique mediator of inducible gene expression in a wide variety of bacterial species. The 1.8 MDa stressosome complex in Bacillus subtilis is a key signal transducer in the environmental stress response of the bacterium, its activation leading ultimately to the upregulation of over 150 genes. The single particle cryo-EM derived molecular envelope of the stressosome was used to generate a pseudo-atomic model by fitting the crystal structures of known components of the complex. The final structure comprises three separate proteins, RsbR, RsbS and RsbT in an unusual arrangement with a pseudo-icosahedral core with sensory extensions provided by the N-terminal domain of RsbR. Immuno-localization studies of the stressosome in fixed B. subtilis cells showed that the complexes are located as punctate foci in the cytoplasm and are stable throughout the imposition of stress. Furthermore, we investigated the response to a number of environmental stressors and found that the response elicited by the stressosome showed a cooperative effect. Taken together, these results imply that the stressosome acts to integrate stress signals from multiple sources, and offers a tunable and co-operative response to activating signals. Our findings, as well as their implications for bacterial signaling, are further discussed in this addendum.

Two surfaces of a conserved interdomain linker differentially affect output from the RST sensing module of the Bacillus subtilis stressosome

The stressosome is a 1.8-MDa cytoplasmic complex that conveys environmental signals to the σ(B) stress factor of Bacillus subtilis. A functionally irreducible complex contains multiple copies of three proteins: the RsbRA coantagonist, RsbS antagonist, and RsbT serine-threonine kinase. Homologues of these proteins are coencoded in different genome contexts in diverse bacteria, forming a versatile sensing and transmission module called RST after its common constituents. However, the signaling pathway within the stressosome itself is not well defined. The N-terminal, nonheme globin domains of RsbRA project from the stressosome and are presumed to channel sensory input to the C-terminal STAS domains that form the complex core. A conserved, 13-residue α-helical linker connects these domains. We probed the in vivo role of the linker using alanine scanning mutagenesis, assaying stressosome output in B. subtilis via a σ(B)-dependent reporter fusion. Substitutions at four conserved residues increased output 4- to 30-fold in unstressed cells, whereas substitutions at four nonconserved residues significantly decreased output. The periodicity of these effects supports a model in which RsbRA functions as a dimer in vivo, with the linkers forming parallel paired helices via a conserved interface. The periodicity further suggests that the opposite, nonconserved faces make additional contacts important for efficient stressosome operation. These results establish that the linker influences stressosome output under steady-state conditions. However, the stress response phenotypes of representative linker substitutions provide less support for the notion that the N-terminal globin domain senses acute environmental challenge and transmits this information via the linker helix.

The bacterial stressosome: a modular system that has been adapted to control secondary messenger signaling

The stressosome complex regulates downstream effectors in response to environmental signals. In Bacillus subtilis, it activates the alternative sigma factor σ(B), leading to the upregulation of the general stress regulon. Herein, we characterize a stressosome-regulated biochemical pathway in Moorella thermoacetica. We show that the presumed sensor, MtR, and the scaffold, MtS, form a pseudo-icosahedral structure like that observed in B. subtilis. The N-terminal domain of MtR is structurally homologous to B. subtilis RsbR, despite low sequence identity. The affinity of the switch kinase, MtT, for MtS decreases following MtS phosphorylation and not because of structural reorganization. Dephosphorylation of MtS by the PP2C type phosphatase MtX permits the switch kinase to rebind the stressosome to reset the response. We also show that MtT regulates cyclic di-GMP biosynthesis through inhibition of a GG(D/E)EF-type diguanylate cyclase, demonstrating that secondary messenger levels are regulated by the stressosome.

Differentiation of function among the RsbR paralogs in the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis with regard to light perception

The general stress response of Bacillus subtilis can be activated by a wide range of signals, including low intensities of visible light. It is regulated by a dedicated σ factor via a complex signal transduction pathway that makes use of stressosomes: hetero-oligomeric complexes that include one or more of the RsbR proteins (RsbRA, RsbRB, RsbRC, and RsbRD). The response to blue light is mediated by the photoreceptor YtvA. We show here which of the four RsbR proteins are necessary for the activation of the σ(B) response by blue light. Experiments performed with single-, double-, and triple-deletion strains in the rsbR genes show that RsbRB and RsbRA function antagonistically, with the former being a negative regulator and the latter a positive regulator of the YtvA-dependent light activation of the stress response. A strain with RsbRB as the only RsbR protein is unable to respond to light-activation of σ(B). Furthermore, RsbRC and RsbRD can replace RsbRA's function only in the absence of RsbRB. This differentiation of function is confined to light stress, since strains with RsbRA or RsbRB as the only RsbR protein behave similarly in our experimental conditions in response to physicochemical stresses. Interestingly, RsbRB's absence is sufficient to result in light activation of the general stress response at wild-type expression levels of ytvA, while it was previously reported that YtvA could only activate σ(B) when overproduced, or when cells are supplemented with an additional environmental stress.

Substitutions in the presumed sensing domain of the Bacillus subtilis stressosome affect its basal output but not response to environmental signals

The stressosome is a multiprotein, 1.8-MDa icosahedral complex that transmits diverse environmental signals to activate the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis. The way in which it senses these cues and the pathway of signal propagation within the stressosome itself are poorly understood. The stressosome core consists of four members of the RsbR coantagonist family together with the RsbS antagonist; its cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) image suggests that the N-terminal domains of the RsbR proteins form homodimers positioned to act as sensors on the stressosome surface. Here we probe the role of the N-terminal domain of the prototype coantagonist RsbRA by making structure-based amino acid substitutions in potential interaction surfaces. To unmask the phenotypes caused by single-copy rsbRA mutations, we constructed strains lacking the other three members of the RsbR coantagonist family and assayed system output using a reporter fusion. Effects of five individual alanine substitutions in the prominent dimer groove did not match predictions from an earlier in vitro assay, indicating that the in vivo assay was necessary to assess their influence on signaling. Additional substitutions expected to negatively affect domain dimerization had substantial impact, whereas those that sampled other prominent surface features had no consequence. Notably, even mutations resulting in significantly altered phenotypes raised the basal level of system output only in unstressed cells and had little effect on the magnitude of subsequent stress signaling. Our results provide evidence that the N-terminal domain of the RsbRA coantagonist affects stressosome function but offer no direct support for the hypothesis that it is a signal sensor.

In vivo phosphorylation patterns of key stressosome proteins define a second feedback loop that limits activation of Bacillus subtilis σB

The Bacillus subtilis stressosome is a 1.8 MDa complex that orchestrates activation of the σ(B) transcription factor by environmental stress. The complex comprises members of the RsbR co-antagonist family and the RsbS antagonist, which together form an icosahedral core that sequesters the RsbT serine-threonine kinase. Phosphorylation of this core by RsbT is associated with RsbT release, which activates downstream signalling. RsbRA, the prototype co-antagonist, is phosphorylated on T171 and T205 in vitro. In unstressed cells T171 is already phosphorylated; this is a prerequisite but not the trigger for activation, which correlates with stress-induced phosphorylation of RsbS on S59. In contrast, phosphorylation of RsbRA T205 has not been detected in vivo. Here we find (i) RsbRA is additionally phosphorylated on T205 following strong stresses, (ii) this modification requires RsbT, and (iii) the phosphorylation-deficient T205A substitution greatly increases post-stress activation of σ(B) . We infer that T205 phosphorylation constitutes a second feedback mechanism to limit σ(B) activation, operating in addition to the RsbX feedback phosphatase. Loss of RsbX function increases the fraction of phosphorylated RsbS and doubly phosphorylated RsbRA in unstressed cells. We propose that RsbX both maintains the ready state of the stressosome prior to stress and restores it post-stress.