Chlorophyll a Synthesis in Rhodobacter sphaeroides by Chlorophyll Synthase of Nicotiana tabacum

The production of phytylated chlorophyll a (Chl a_P) in Rhodobacter sphaeroides, which uses phytylated bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a_P), is the first step in expanding the light absorption spectra. Unlike the chlorophyll synthase (ChlG) of the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, ChlGs of angiosperms, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, Avena sativa, and Oryza sativa, showed bacteriochlorophyll synthase activity and resistance to inhibition by bacteriochlorophyllide a (BChlide a), geranylgeranylated BChl a (BChl a_GG), and BChl a_P, collectively called bacteriochlorins. Among the angiosperm ChlGs, N. tabacum ChlG had the highest bacteriochlorophyll synthase activity and resistance to inhibition by bacteriochlorins. Expression of N. tabacum chlG in R. sphaeroides resulted in the formation of free Chl a_P in the presence of BChl a_P during photoheterotrophic growth, even though reactive oxygen species were generated.

The Sulfide-Responsive SqrR/BigR Homologous Regulator YgaV of Escherichia coli Controls Expression of Anaerobic Respiratory Genes and Antibiotic Tolerance

Compositions and activities of bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract significantly influence the metabolism, health, and disease of host humans and animals. These enteric bacteria can switch between aerobic and anaerobic growth if oxygen tension becomes limited. Interestingly, the switching mechanism is important for preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antibiotic tolerance. Studies have also shown that intracellular and extracellular sulfide molecules are involved in this switching control, although the mechanism is not fully clarified. Here, we found that YgaV, a sulfide-responsive transcription factor SqrR/BigR homolog, responded to sulfide compounds in vivo and in vitro to control anaerobic respiratory gene expression. YgaV also responded to H₂O₂ scavenging in the enteric bacterium Escherichia coli. Although the wild-type (WT) showed increased antibiotic tolerance under H₂S-atmospheric conditions, the ygaV mutant did not show such a phenotype. Additionally, antibiotic sensitivity was higher in the mutant than in the WT of both types in the presence and absence of exogenous H₂S. These results, therefore, indicated that YgaV-dependent transcriptional regulation was responsible for maintaining redox homeostasis, ROS scavenging, and antibiotic tolerance.

Clues to the function of bacterial microcompartments from ancillary genes

Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are prokaryotic organelles. Their bounding membrane is a selectively permeable protein shell, encapsulating enzymes of specialized metabolic pathways. While the function of a BMC is dictated by the encapsulated enzymes which vary with the type of the BMC, the shell is formed by conserved protein building blocks. The genes necessary to form a BMC are typically organized in a locus; they encode the shell proteins, encapsulated enzymes as well as ancillary proteins that integrate the BMC function into the cell's metabolism. Among these are transcriptional regulators which usually found at the beginning or end of a locus, and transmembrane proteins that presumably function to conduct the BMC substrate into the cell. Here, we describe the types of transcriptional regulators and permeases found in association with BMC loci, using a recently collected data set of more than 7000 BMC loci distributed over 45 bacterial phyla, including newly discovered BMC loci. We summarize the known BMC regulation mechanisms, and highlight how much remains to be uncovered. We also show how analysis of these ancillary proteins can inform hypotheses about BMC function; by examining the ligand-binding domain of the regulator and the transporter, we propose that nucleotides are the likely substrate for an enigmatic uncharacterized BMC of unknown function.

Resolving the roles of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides HemA and HemT 5-aminolevulinic acid synthases

Strains of the phototrophic alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides vary in the number of enzymes catalyzing the formation of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA synthases) that are encoded in their genomes. All have hemA, but not all have hemT. This study compared transcription of these genes, and also properties of their products among three wild-type strains; 2.4.3 has hemA alone, 2.4.1 and 2.4.9 have both hemA and hemT. Using lacZ reporter plasmids all hemA genes were found to be upregulated under anaerobic conditions, but induction amplitudes differ. hemT is transcriptionally silent in 2.4.1 but actively transcribed in 2.4.9, and strongly upregulated under anaerobic-dark growth conditions when cells are respiring dimethyl sulfoxide, vs. aerobic-dark or phototrophic (anaerobic-light) conditions. Two extracytoplasmic function (ECF)-type sigma factors present in 2.4.9, but absent from 2.4.1 are directly involved in hemT transcription. Kinetic properties of the ALA synthases of all three strains were similar, but HemT enzymes are far less sensitive to feedback inhibition by hemin than HemA enzymes, and HemT is less active under oxidizing conditions. A model is presented that compares and contrast events in strains 2.4.1 and 2.4.9.

Negative regulation of pathogenesis in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 11528 by ATP-dependent Lon protease

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci causes wildfire disease in tobacco plants. The hrp pathogenicity island (hrp PAI) of P. syringae pv. tabaci encodes a type III secretion system (TTSS) and its regulatory system, which are required for pathogenesis in plants. Three important regulatory proteins-HrpR, HrpS, and HrpL-have been identified to activate hrp PAI gene expression. The bacterial Lon protease regulates the expression of various genes. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the Lon protease in P. syringae pv. tabaci 11528, we cloned the lon gene, and then a Δlon mutant was generated by allelic exchange. lon mutants showed increased UV sensitivity, which is a typical feature of such mutants. The Δlon mutant produced higher levels of tabtoxin than the wild-type. The lacZ gene was fused with hrpA promoter and activity of β-galactosidase was measured in hrp-repressing and hrp-inducing media. The Lon protease functioned as a negative regulator of hrp PAI under hrp-repressing conditions. We found that strains with lon disruption elicited the host defense system more rapidly and strongly than the wild-type strain, suggesting that the Lon protease is essential for systemic pathogenesis.

Artificial RNA aptamer production by the marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum: improvement of the aptamer yield using a mutated transcriptional promoter

Noncoding small RNAs and artificial RNA aptamers are now expected to be potential candidates for RNA therapeutic agents. We previously proposed a unique method for economical production of these RNAs using the marine phototrophic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum. This bacterium does not produce any ribonucleases but does produce extracellular nucleic acids in the culture medium in nature. Using this bacterium and an engineered plasmid containing the rrn promoter for the RNA expression, we developed a method for production of the streptavidin RNA aptamer in the culture medium. However, the yield of this RNA product in the culture medium by this method was not enough for practical use. In the present paper, we improved the yield of this product by modification of the -35 region of the rrn promoter so as to escape from the Fis protein control and the use of a new vector plasmid. Using this system, the extracellular RNA aptamer of approximately 200 ng and the total RNA aptamer (both extra- and intracellular form) of about 20 μg from 1 L culture were accomplished by constitutive expression of the gene.

Modification of the genome of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and construction of synthetic operons

The α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides is an exemplary model organism for the creation and study of novel protein expression systems, especially membrane protein complexes that harvest light energy to yield electrical energy. Advantages of this organism include a sequenced genome, tools for genetic engineering, a well-characterized metabolism, and a large membrane surface area when grown under hypoxic or anoxic conditions. This chapter provides a framework for the utilization of R. sphaeroides as a model organism for membrane protein expression, highlighting key advantages and shortcomings. Procedures covered in this chapter include the creation of chromosomal gene deletions, disruptions, and replacements, as well as the construction of a synthetic operon using a model promoter to induce expression of modified photosynthetic reaction center proteins for structural and functional analysis.

Extracellular production of an RNA aptamer by ribonuclease-free marine bacteria harboring engineered plasmids: a proposal for industrial RNA drug production

Natural noncoding small RNAs have been shown to be involved in a number of cellular processes as regulators. Using the mechanisms thus elucidated, artificial small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), ribozymes, and RNA aptamers are also expected to be potential candidates for RNA therapeutic agents. However, current techniques are too costly for industrial production of these RNAs for use as drugs. Here, we propose a new method for in vivo production of artificial RNAs using the marine phototrophic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum. Using engineered plasmids and this bacterium, which produces extracellular nucleic acids in nature, we developed a method for extracellular production of a streptavidin RNA aptamer. As the bacterium does not produce any RNases in the culture medium, at least within the cultivation period tested, the designed RNA itself is produced and retained in the culture medium of the bacterium without any specific mechanism for protection against degradation by nucleases. Here, we report that the streptavidin RNA aptamer is produced in the culture medium and retains its specific function. This is the first demonstration of extracellular production of a functional artificial RNA in vivo, which will pave the way for inexpensive production of RNA drugs.

Half-Site DNA sequence and spacing length contributions to PrrA binding to PrrA site 2 of RSP3361 in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

The consensus DNA binding sequence for PrrA, a global regulator in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1, is poorly defined. We have performed mutational analysis of PrrA site 2, of the RSP3361 gene, to which PrrA binds in vitro (J. M. Eraso and S. Kaplan, J. Bacteriol. 191:4341-4352, 2009), to further define the consensus sequence for DNA binding. Two half-sites of equal length, containing 6 nucleotides each, were required for PrrA binding to this DNA sequence. Systematic nucleotide substitutions in both inverted half-sites led to a decrease in binding affinity of phosphorylated PrrA in vitro, the level of which was dependent on the substitution. The reduced binding affinities were confirmed by competition experiments and led to proportional decreases in the expression of lacZ transcriptional fusions to the RSP3361 gene in vivo. The 5-nucleotide spacer region between the half-sites was found to be optimal for PrrA binding to the wild-type half-sites, as shown by decreased PrrA DNA binding affinities to synthetic DNA sequences without spacer regions or with spacer regions ranging from 1 to 10 nucleotides. The synthetic spacer region alleles also showed decreased gene expression in vivo when analyzed using lacZ transcriptional fusions. We have studied three additional DNA sequences to which PrrA binds in vitro. They are located in the regulatory regions of genes positively regulated by PrrA and contain spacer regions with 5 or 8 nucleotides. We demonstrate that PrrA can bind in vitro to DNA sequences with different lengths in the spacer regions between the half-sites.

Regulation of aerobic photosystem synthesis in the purple bacterium Rhodospirillum centenum by CrtJ and AerR

Genes coding for putative CrtJ and AerR homologs were identified and characterized in the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum centenum (also known as Rhodocista centenaria), an organism that synthesizes photopigments even under highly aerated conditions. Mutational analysis indicated that in Rsp. centenum, gene crtJ codes for a repressor for photosynthesis gene expression as in Rhodobacter capsulatus, which exhibits a high level of oxygen repression of photosystem synthesis. In contrast to Rba. capsulatus, AerR in Rsp. centenum appears to be an aerobic activator; an aerR mutation resulted in significantly reduced levels of photopigment synthesis. Both aerR and crtJ mutants retained essentially normal levels of photosystem synthesis under anaerobic conditions, indicating that their activities are specific for aerobic photosystem synthesis. The readthrough transcript from crtE promoter, which is regulated by AerR and CrtJ, seems to be significant in maintaining the expression levels of the light harvesting I (puf) genes in Rsp. centenum. We suggest that AerR and CrtJ regulate aerobic photosystem synthesis primarily through controlling activity of the transcriptional readthrough.

Regulation of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 hemA gene by PrrA and FnrL

Part of the oxygen responsiveness of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 tetrapyrrole production involves changes in transcription of the hemA gene, which codes for one of two isoenzymes catalyzing 5-aminolevulinic acid synthesis. Regulation of hemA transcription from its two promoters is mediated by the DNA binding proteins FnrL and PrrA. The two PrrA binding sites, binding sites I and II, which are located upstream of the more-5' hemA promoter (P1), are equally important to transcription under aerobic conditions, while binding site II is more important under anaerobic conditions. By using phosphoprotein affinity chromatography and immunoblot analyses, we showed that the phosphorylated PrrA levels in the cell increase with decreasing oxygen tensions. Then, using both in vivo and in vitro methods, we demonstrated that the relative affinities of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated PrrA for the two binding sites differ and that phosphorylated PrrA has greater affinity for site II. We also showed that PrrA regulation is directed toward the P1 promoter. We propose that the PrrA component of anaerobic induction of P1 transcription is attributable to higher affinity of phosphorylated PrrA than of unphosphorylated PrrA for binding site II. Anaerobic activation of the more-3' hemA promoter (P2) is thought to involve FnrL binding to an FNR consensuslike sequence located upstream of the P2 promoter, but the contribution of FnrL to P1 induction may be indirect since the P1 transcription start is within the putative FnrL binding site. We present evidence suggesting that the indirect action of FnrL works through PrrA and discuss possible mechanisms.

Role of the global transcriptional regulator PrrA in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1: combined transcriptome and proteome analysis

The PrrBA two-component regulatory system is a major global regulator in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. Here we have compared the transcriptome and proteome profiles of the wild-type (WT) and mutant PrrA2 cells grown anaerobically in the dark with dimethyl sulfoxide as an electron acceptor. Approximately 25% of the genes present in the PrrA2 genome are regulated by PrrA at the transcriptional level, either directly or indirectly, by twofold or more relative to the WT. The genes affected are widespread throughout all COG (cluster of orthologous group) functional categories, with previously unsuspected "metabolic" genes affected in PrrA2 cells. PrrA was found to act as both an activator and a repressor of transcription, with more genes being repressed in the presence of PrrA (9:5 ratio). An analysis of the genes encoding the 1,536 peptides detected through our chromatographic study, which corresponds to 36% coverage of the genome, revealed that approximately 20% of the genes encoding these proteins were positively regulated, whereas approximately 32% were negatively regulated by PrrA, which is in excellent agreement with the percentages obtained for the whole-genome transcriptome profile. In addition, comparison of the transcriptome and proteome mean parameter values for WT and PrrA2 cells showed good qualitative agreement, indicating that transcript regulation paralleled the corresponding protein abundance, although not one for one. The microarray analysis was validated by direct mRNA measurement of randomly selected genes that were both positively and negatively regulated. lacZ transcriptional and kan translational fusions enabled us to map putative PrrA binding sites and revealed potential gene targets for indirect regulation by PrrA.

In vitro and in vivo analysis of the role of PrrA in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 hemA gene expression

The hemA gene codes for one of two synthases in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 which catalyze the formation of 5-aminolevulinic acid. We have examined the role of PrrA, a DNA binding protein that is associated with the metabolic switch between aerobic growth and anoxygenic photosynthetic growth, in hemA expression and found that hemA transcription is directly activated by PrrA. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I protection assays, we have mapped two binding sites for PrrA within the hemA upstream sequences, each of which contains an identical 9-bp motif. Using lacZ transcription reporter plasmids in wild-type strain 2.4.1 and PrrA- mutant strain PRRA2, we showed that PrrA was required for maximal expression. We also found that the relative impacts of altering DNA sequences within the two binding sites are different depending on whether cells are growing aerobically or anaerobically. This reveals a greater level of complexity associated with PrrA-mediated regulation of transcription than has been heretofore described. Our findings are of particular importance with respect to those genes regulated by PrrA having more than one upstream binding site. In the case of the hemA gene, we discuss possibilities as to how these new insights can be accommodated within the context of what has already been established for hemA transcription regulation in R. sphaeroides.

Analysis of hemF gene function and expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

The hemF gene of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 is predicted to code for an oxygen-dependent coproporphyrinogen III oxidase. We found that a HemF- mutant strain is unable to grow under aerobic conditions. We also determined that hemF expression is controlled by oxygen, which is mediated, at least in part, by the response regulatory protein PrrA.

Identification of genes required for recycling reducing power during photosynthetic growth

Photosynthetic organisms have the unique ability to transform light energy into reducing power. We study the requirements for photosynthesis in the alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Global gene expression analysis found that approximately 50 uncharacterized genes were regulated by changes in light intensity and O\2 tension, similar to the expression of genes known to be required for photosynthetic growth of this bacterium. These uncharacterized genes included RSP4157 to -4159, which appeared to be cotranscribed and map to plasmid P004. A mutant containing a polar insertion in RSP4157, CT01, was able to grow via photosynthesis under autotrophic conditions using H2 as an electron donor and CO2 as a carbon source. However, CT01 was unable to grow photoheterotrophically in a succinate-based medium unless compounds that could be used to recycle reducing power (the external electron acceptor dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or CO2 were provided. This suggests that the insertion in RSP4157 caused a defect in recycling reducing power during photosynthetic growth when a fixed carbon source was present. CT01 had decreased levels of RNA for genes encoding putative glycolate degradation functions. We found that exogenous glycolate also rescued photoheterotrophic growth of CT01, leading us to propose that CO2 produced from glycolate metabolism can be used by the Calvin cycle to recycle reducing power generated in the photosynthetic apparatus. The ability of glycolate, CO2, or DMSO to support photoheterotrophic growth of CT01 suggests that one or more products of RSP4157 to -4159 serve a previously unknown role in recycling reducing power under photosynthetic conditions.

Digging deeper: uncovering genetic loci which modulate photosynthesis gene expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

A new genetic locus was identified in Rhodobacter sphaeroides which is required for optimal synthesis of the light-harvesting spectral complexes as well as for optimal growth under anaerobic conditions with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a terminal electron acceptor. The primary structure of the deduced osp gene product shows significant homology to the receiver domain of known response regulators common to bacterial two-component systems. However, site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the Osp protein appears not to be involved in a phospho-relay signal transduction pathway. Paradoxically, the effect of the Osp protein upon spectral complex levels is exerted at the transcriptional level of photosynthesis gene expression. The absence of the Osp protein does not appear to have a general effect on house-keeping metabolism. In cells lacking Osp, the levels of DMSO reductase appear to be normal. The quaternary structure of the Osp protein was determined to be a homodimer and it was directly demonstrated that Osp does not bind to the promoter region of photosynthesis genes as judged by mobility-shift experiments and primary structure analysis.

Interdependent expression of the ccoNOQP-rdxBHIS loci in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

The rdxBHIS gene cluster of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1, located downstream of the ccoNOQP operon encoding the cbb(3) cytochrome c oxidase, is required for the posttranscriptional modification of the cbb(3) cytochrome c oxidase. The cbb(3) cytochrome c oxidase is the main terminal oxidase under microaerobic conditions, as well as a component of the signal transduction pathway controlling photosynthesis gene expression. Because of the intimate functional and positional relationships of the ccoNOQP operon and the rdxBHIS gene cluster, we have examined the transcriptional activities of this DNA region in order to understand their expression and regulation. Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-PCR, together with earlier complementation analysis, suggested that the ccoNOQP-rdxBHIS cluster is transcribed as ccoNOQP-, ccoNOQP-rdxBH-, rdxBH-, and rdxIS-specific transcripts. Multiple transcriptional start sites have been identified by primer extension analyses: five for ccoN, four for rdxB, and one for rdxI. Transcription from P1(N) of ccoN and P1(B) of rdxB is dependent on the presence of FnrL. LacZ fusion analysis support the above-described studies, especially the importance of FnrL. Expression of the cco-rdx cluster is closely related to photosynthesis gene expression, suggesting that transcript stoichiometry and presumably the stoichiometry of the gene products are critical factors in controlling photosynthesis gene expression.

The default state of the membrane-localized histidine kinase PrrB of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 is in the kinase-positive mode

The PrrBA two-component activation system of Rhodobacter sphaeroides plays a major role in the induction of photosynthesis gene expression under oxygen-limiting or anaerobic conditions. The PrrB histidine kinase is composed of two structurally identifiable regions, the conserved C-terminal kinase/phosphatase domain and the N-terminal membrane-spanning domain with six transmembrane helices framing three periplasmic and two cytoplasmic loops. Using a set of PrrB mutants with lesions in the transmembrane domain, we demonstrate that the central portion of the PrrB transmembrane domain including the second periplasmic loop plays an important role in both sensing and signal transduction. Signal transduction via the transmembrane domain is ultimately manifested by controlling the activity of the C-terminal kinase/phosphatase domain. The extent of signal transduction is determined by the ability of the transmembrane domain to sense the strength of the inhibitory signal received from the cbb(3) terminal oxidase (J.-I Oh, and S. Kaplan, EMBO J. 19:4237-4247, 2000). Therefore, the intrinsic ("default") state of PrrB is in the kinase-dominant mode. It is also demonstrated that the extent of prrB gene expression is subject to the negative autoregulation of the PrrBA system.

Characterization of the reduction of selenate and tellurite by nitrate reductases

Preliminary studies showed that the periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and the membrane-bound nitrate reductases of Escherichia coli are able to reduce selenate and tellurite in vitro with benzyl viologen as an electron donor. In the present study, we found that this is a general feature of denitrifiers. Both the periplasmic and membrane-bound nitrate reductases of Ralstonia eutropha, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Paracoccus pantotrophus can utilize potassium selenate and potassium tellurite as electron acceptors. In order to characterize these reactions, the periplasmic nitrate reductase of R. sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans IL106 was histidine tagged and purified. The V(max) and K(m) were determined for nitrate, tellurite, and selenate. For nitrate, values of 39 micromol x min(-1) x mg(-1) and 0.12 mM were obtained for V(max) and K(m), respectively, whereas the V(max) values for tellurite and selenate were 40- and 140-fold lower, respectively. These low activities can explain the observation that depletion of the nitrate reductase in R. sphaeroides does not modify the MIC of tellurite for this organism.

Control of hemA expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1: effect of a transposon insertion in the hbdA gene

The common precursor to all tetrapyrroles is 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), and in Rhodobacter sphaeroides its formation occurs via the Shemin pathway. ALA synthase activity is encoded by two differentially regulated genes in R. sphaeroides 2.4.1: hemA and hemT. In our investigations of hemA regulation, we applied transposon mutagenesis under aerobic conditions, followed by a selection that identified transposon insertion mutants in which hemA expression is elevated. One of these mutants has been characterized previously (J. Zeilstra-Ryalls and S. Kaplan, J. Bacteriol. 178:985-993, 1996), and here we describe our analysis of a second mutant strain. The transposon inserted into the coding sequences of hbdA, coding for S-(+)-beta-hydroxybutyryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase and catalyzing an NAD-dependent reaction. We provide evidence that the hbdA gene product participates in polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) metabolism and, based on our findings, we discuss possibilities as to how defective PHB metabolism might alter the level of hemA expression.

Interacting regulatory circuits involved in orderly control of photosynthesis gene expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

FnrL, the homolog of the global anaerobic regulator Fnr, is required for the induction of the photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. Thus, the precise role of FnrL in photosynthesis (PS) gene expression and its interaction(s) with other regulators of PS gene expression are of considerable importance to our understanding of the regulatory circuitry governing spectral complex formation. Using a CcoP and FnrL double mutant strain, we obtained results which suggested that FnrL is not involved in the transduction of the inhibitory signal, by which PS gene expression is "silenced," emanating from the cbb(3) oxidase encoded by the ccoNOQP operon under aerobic conditions. The dominant effect of the ccoP mutation in the FnrL mutant strain with respect to spectral complex formation under aerobic conditions and restoration of a PS-positive phenotype suggested that inactivation of the cbb(3) oxidase to some extent bypasses the requirement for FnrL in the formation of spectral complexes. Additional analyses revealed that anaerobic induction of the bchE, hemN, and hemZ genes, which are involved in the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathways, requires FnrL. Thus, FnrL appears to be involved at multiple loci involved in the regulation of PS gene expression. Additionally, bchE was also shown to be regulated by the PrrBA two-component system, in conjunction with hemN and hemZ. These and other results to be discussed permit us to more accurately describe the role of FnrL as well as the interactions between the FnrL, PrrBA, and other regulatory circuits in the regulation of PS gene expression.

Transcriptional control of expression of genes for photosynthetic reaction center and light-harvesting proteins in the purple bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum

The purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum synthesizes photosynthetic apparatus even under highly aerated conditions in the dark. To understand the oxygen-independent expression of photosynthetic genes, the expression of the puf operon coding for the light-harvesting 1 and reaction center proteins was analyzed. Northern blot hybridization analysis showed that puf mRNA synthesis was not significantly repressed by oxygen in this bacterium. High-resolution 5' mapping of the puf mRNA transcriptional initiation sites and DNA sequence analysis of the puf upstream regulatory region indicated that there are three possible promoters for the puf operon expression, two of which have a high degree of sequence similarity with those of Rhodobacter capsulatus, which shows a high level of oxygen repression of photosystem synthesis. Deletion analysis showed that the third promoter is oxygen independent, but the activity of this promoter was not enough to explain the aerobic level of mRNA. The posttranscriptional puf mRNA degradation is not significantly influenced by oxygen in R. sulfidophilum. From these results, we conclude that puf operon expression in R. sulfidophilum is weakly repressed by oxygen, perhaps as a result of the following: (i) there are three promoters for puf operon transcription, at least one of which is oxygen independent; (ii) readthrough transcripts which may not be affected by oxygen may be significant in maintaining the puf mRNA levels; and (iii) the puf mRNA is fairly stable even under aerobic conditions.

Analysis of the puc operon promoter from Rhodobacter capsulatus

Expression of the Rhodobacter capsulatus puc operon, which codes for structural polypeptides of the light-harvesting-II peripheral antenna complex, is highly regulated in response to alterations in oxygen tension and light intensity. To obtain an understanding of the puc promoter region we report the high-resolution 5' mapping of the puc mRNA transcriptional start site and DNA sequence analysis of the puc upstream regulatory sequence (pucURS). A sigma70-type promoter sequence was identified (pucP1) which has a high degree of sequence similarity with carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis promoters. Inspection of the DNA sequence also indicated the presence of two CrtJ and four integration host factor (IHF) binding sites. Transcriptional fusions of the pucURS fused to lacZ also confirmed that puc promoter activity is regulated by the transcriptional regulators IHF, CrtJ, and RegA. Gel retardation analysis using cell extracts indicates that mutations in IHF and RegA disrupt protein binding to DNA fragments containing the pucURS.

Gene cloning and regulation of gene expression of the puc operon from Rhodovulum sulfidophilum

Rhodovulum (Rhv.) sulfidophilum, unlike other nonsulfur purple bacteria, is able to synthesize the peripheral antenna complex even under fully aerobic conditions in the dark. We have obtained strong evidence that Rhv. sulfidophilum encodes only one copy of the puc operon, comprising pucB, pucA and pucC. pucB and pucA encode the beta- and alpha-polypeptides. The third ORF (pucC), downstream of pucA, has a strong homology to pucC of Rhodobacter (Rb.) capsulatus. Deletion mutation analysis indicated that the requirement for the pucC gene product for LH II expression was less strict than in Rb. capsulatus. Comparison of the deduced alpha and beta polypeptide sequences with the directly determined primary structure revealed a C-terminal processing of the alpha-subunit. Primer extension analysis showed that the pucBAC is transcribed from a sigma70-type promoter 130 bases upstream of the translational start of pucB. Transcriptional expression of the pucBAC operon in Rhv. sulfidophilum is higher, the lower the light intensity is, and is not reduced to a ground-level by the presence of oxygen. Based on lacZ fusions the relative promoter activities were, for dark aerobic:dark semiaerobic:low light anaerobic:medium light anaerobic:high light anaerobic, 5.5:7.0:2.0:1.0:0.78. Still unidentified cis-regulatory elements or binding sites of trans-regulatory elements are apparently localized in two distinct upstream regions. Furthermore, comparison of the promoter region of the Rhv. sulfidophilum pucBAC with the promoter regions of puc operons in related species showed distinct differences in the regulatory elements. The significance of these results with respect to the regulation of transcription and the oxygen-independent synthesis of LH II from Rhv. sulfidophilum is discussed.

Evidence for the role of redox carriers in photosynthesis gene expression and carotenoid biosynthesis in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

Previous work from this laboratory revealed that alterations in the structure of the ccoNOQP operon of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 could lead to induction of the photosynthetic apparatus under aerobic growth conditions. Immediately downstream of the ccoNOQP operon is the rdxB gene, the first gene of the rdxBHIS cluster. The rdxB gene product is predicted to encode a membrane protein which can bind two [4Fe-4S] clusters. The ccoP gene product is a diheme cytochrome which is a component of the cbb3-type cytochrome oxidase. Under aerobic growth conditions, strains possessing ccoP and rdxB mutations both singly and in combination produced light-harvesting complexes, suggesting that normal functioning of these proteins is required to maintain repression of photosynthesis gene expression in the presence of oxygen. Analysis of the expression of puc::lacZ fusions under aerobic conditions revealed an approximately 12-fold increase in puc operon expression in the RDXB1 and CCOP1 mutant strains compared with that for wild-type 2.4.1. Similarly, puf::lacZ activity was observed to be elevated fourfold above wild-type levels. Further indication of the importance of the RdxB and CcoP proteins was derived from studies of mutant and wild-type cells grown under anoxygenic photosynthetic and nitrogen-fixing conditions. These mutant strains were observed to accumulate spheroidenone to approximately 50% or more of the total carotenoid. In wild-type cultures, spheroidenone normally accumulates to approximately 10 to 20% of the total carotenoid under the same growth conditions. This effect was most pronounced when both the rdxB and the ccoP mutations were present together in cells cultured under nitrogen-fixing photosynthetic growth conditions in which spheroidenone represented approximately 90% of the total carotenoid. We propose that mutations in the rdxB or ccoP gene may lead to changes in a membrane-generated redox signal or the accumulation of a critical redox intermediate in the mutant strains which results in increased photosynthesis gene expression under aerobic conditions by alteration of the activity of a transcriptional regulator(s) of photosynthesis gene expression. Mutations in these genes also appear to posttranscriptionally influence the terminal step of carotenoid biogenesis. Potential regulators interacting with an aberrant redox signal in the mutants and the possible nature of such a redox signal are discussed.

Molecular genetic analysis suggesting interactions between AppA and PpsR in regulation of photosynthesis gene expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

The AppA protein plays an essential regulatory role in development of the photosynthetic apparatus in the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 (M. Gomelsky and S. Kaplan, J. Bacteriol. 177:4609-4618, 1995). To gain additional insight into both the role and site of action of AppA in the regulatory network governing photosynthesis gene expression, we investigated the relationships between AppA and other known regulators of photosynthesis gene expression. We determined that AppA is dispensable for development of the photosynthetic apparatus in a ppsR null background, where PpsR is an aerobic repressor of genes involved in photopigment biosynthesis and puc operon expression. Moreover, all suppressors of an appA null mutation thus far isolated, showing improved photosynthetic growth, were found to contain mutations in the ppsR gene. Because ppsR gene expression in R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 appears to be largely independent of growth conditions, we suggest that regulation of repressor activity occurs predominately at the protein level. We have also found that PpsR functions as a repressor not only under aerobic but under anaerobic photosynthetic conditions and thereby is involved in regulating the abundance of the light harvesting complex II, depending on light intensity. It seems likely therefore, that PpsR responds to an integral signal (e.g., changes in redox potential) produced either by changes in oxygen tension or light intensity. The profile of the isolated suppressor mutations in PpsR is in accord with this proposition. We propose that AppA may be involved in a redox-dependent modulation of PpsR repressor activity.

Complex regulatory activities associated with the histidine kinase PrrB in expression of photosynthesis genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 synthesizes a specialized photosynthetic membrane upon reduction of the O2 tension below threshold levels. The genes prrB and prrA encode a sensor kinase and a response regulator, respectively, of a two-component regulatory system that presumably is involved in transduction of the signal(s) that monitors alterations in oxygen levels. A third gene, prrC, is also involved in this cascade of events. Previously, we described a mutant form of PrrB, namely, PrrB78 (J. M. Eraso and S. Kaplan, J. Bacteriol. 177:2695-2706, 1995), which results in aerobic expression of the photosynthetic apparatus. Here we examine three mutated forms of the prrB gene that have the potential to encode truncated polypeptides containing the N-terminal 6, 63, or 163 amino acids, respectively. The resulting mutant strains showed residual levels of the light-harvesting spectral complexes and had diminished photosynthetic growth rates at high light intensities with no discernible growth under intermediate or low light conditions. When either lacZ transcriptional fusions or direct mRNA determinations were used to monitor specific photosynthesis gene expression, all the mutant strains showed unexpectedly high levels of gene expression when compared to mutant strains affected in prrA. Conversely, when translational fusions were used to monitor photosynthesis gene expression in these mutant strains, expression of both puc and puf operons was reduced, especially puf expression. In light of these studies and those of the PrrB78 mutant, the data suggest that PrrA can be activated in situ by something other than PrrB, and it also appears that PrrB can function as a negative regulator acting through PrrA. Finally, we consider the role of the Prr regulatory system in the posttranscriptional control of photosynthesis gene expression.

Forty-five years of developmental biology of photosynthetic bacteria

Developmental biology and cell differentiation of photosynthetic prokaryotes are less noticed fields than the showpieces of eukaryotes, e.g. Drosophila melanogaster. The large metabolic versatility of the facultative purple bacteria and their great capability to adapt to different ecological conditions, however, aroused the inquisitiveness to investigate the process of cell differentiation and to use these bacteria as model system to study structure, function and biosynthesis of the photosynthetic apparatus. The great progress in research in this field paved the way to study principal mechanisms of cellular organization and differentiation in these bacteria. In this article, the history of the research on membrane structure and development of anoxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes during the last 45 years is described. A personal account of how I entered the field through research on the phototaxis of cyanobacteria is given. Intracytoplasmic membranes (ICM) were detected by electron microscopy in cyanobacteria and in purple non-sulfur bacteria. The formation of ICM by invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane in purple bacteria was observed for the first time. Investigations on the effect of changes in oxygen tension and light intensity on the formation of pigments and intracytoplasmic membranes followed. The isolation, purification, and analysis of light-harvesting complexes and of pigment-binding proteins was the next step of our research. Lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycans were detected and analyzed in the outer membrane of photosynthetic bacteria. Functional membrane differentiation includes variations in the rates of photophosphorylation and electron transport. Molecular genetic approaches have initiated the investigation of transcriptional regulation and the analysis of correlation between pigment and protein synthesis. Molecular analysis of assembly of light-harvesting complexes and membrane differentiation are the present aspects of our research. Cell differentiation has been considered under evolutionary view.