Study of PcaV from Streptomyces coelicolor yields new insights into ligand-responsive MarR family transcription factors

Exploring plant-derived phytochrome chaperone proteins for light-switchable transcriptional regulation in mammals

Synthetic biology applications require finely tuned gene expression, often mediated by synthetic transcription factors (sTFs) compatible with the human genome and transcriptional regulation mechanisms. While various DNA-binding and activation domains have been developed for different applications, advanced artificially controllable sTFs with improved regulatory capabilities are required for increasingly sophisticated applications. Here, in mammalian cells and mice, we validate the transactivator function and homo-/heterodimerization activity of the plant-derived phytochrome chaperone proteins, FHY1 and FHL. Our results demonstrate that FHY1/FHL form a photosensing transcriptional regulation complex (PTRC) through interaction with the phytochrome, ΔPhyA, that can toggle between active and inactive states through exposure to red or far-red light, respectively. Exploiting this capability, we develop a light-switchable platform that allows for orthogonal, modular, and tunable control of gene transcription, and incorporate it into a PTRC-controlled CRISPRa system (PTRCdcas) to modulate endogenous gene expression. We then integrate the PTRC with small molecule- or blue light-inducible regulatory modules to construct a variety of highly tunable systems that allow rapid and reversible control of transcriptional regulation in vitro and in vivo. Validation and deployment of these plant-derived phytochrome chaperone proteins in a PTRC platform have produced a versatile, powerful tool for advanced research and biomedical engineering applications.

MarR family proteins sense sulfane sulfur in bacteria

Members of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) protein family are ubiquitous in bacteria and play critical roles in regulating cellular metabolism and antibiotic resistance. MarR family proteins function as repressors, and their interactions with modulators induce the expression of controlled genes. The previously characterized modulators are insufficient to explain the activities of certain MarR family proteins. However, recently, several MarR family proteins have been reported to sense sulfane sulfur, including zero-valent sulfur, persulfide (R-SSH), and polysulfide (R-SnH, n ≥ 2). Sulfane sulfur is a common cellular component in bacteria whose levels vary during bacterial growth. The changing levels of sulfane sulfur affect the expression of many MarR-controlled genes. Sulfane sulfur reacts with the cysteine thiols of MarR family proteins, causing the formation of protein thiol persulfide, disulfide bonds, and other modifications. Several MarR family proteins that respond to reactive oxygen species (ROS) also sense sulfane sulfur, as both sulfane sulfur and ROS induce the formation of disulfide bonds. This review focused on MarR family proteins that sense sulfane sulfur. However, the sensing mechanisms reviewed here may also apply to other proteins that detect sulfane sulfur, which is emerging as a modulator of gene regulation.

MarR Family Transcriptional Regulators and Their Roles in Plant-Interacting Bacteria

The relationship between plants and associated soil microorganisms plays a major role in ecosystem functioning. Plant-bacteria interactions involve complex signaling pathways regulating various processes required by bacteria to adapt to their fluctuating environment. The establishment and maintenance of these interactions rely on the ability of the bacteria to sense and respond to biotic and abiotic environmental signals. In this context, MarR family transcriptional regulators can use these signals for transcriptional regulation, which is required to establish adapted responses. MarR-like transcriptional regulators are essential for the regulation of the specialized functions involved in plant-bacteria interactions in response to a wide range of molecules associated with the plant host. The conversion of environmental signals into changes in bacterial physiology and behavior allows the bacteria to colonize the plant and ensure a successful interaction. This review focuses on the mechanisms of plant-signal perception by MarR-like regulators, namely how they (i) allow bacteria to cope with the rhizosphere and plant endosphere, (ii) regulate the beneficial functions of Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria and (iii) regulate the virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria.

PicR as a MarR Family Transcriptional Repressor Multiply Controls the Transcription of Picolinic Acid Degradation Gene Cluster pic in Alcaligenes faecalis JQ135

Picolinic acid (PA) is a natural toxic pyridine derivative as well as an important intermediate used in the chemical industry. In a previous study, we identified a gene cluster, pic, that responsible for the catabolism of PA in Alcaligenes faecalis JQ135. However, the transcriptional regulation of the pic cluster remains known. This study showed that the entire pic cluster was composed of 17 genes and transcribed as four operons: picR, picCDEF, picB4B3B2B1, and picT1A1A2A3T2T3MN. Deletion of picR, encoding a putative MarR-type regulator, greatly shortened the lag phase of PA degradation. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting showed that PicR has one binding site in the picR-picC intergenic region and two binding sites in the picB-picT1 intergenic region. The DNA sequences of the three binding sites have the palindromic characteristics of TCAG-N₄-CTNN: the space consists of four nonspecific bases, and the four palindromic bases on the left and the first two palindromic bases on the right are strictly conserved, while the last two bases on the right vary among the three binding sites. An in vivo β-galactosidase activity reporter assay indicated that 6-hydroxypicolinic acid but not PA acted as a ligand of PicR, preventing PicR from binding to promoter regions and thus derepressing the transcription of the pic cluster. This study revealed the negative transcriptional regulation mechanism of PA degradation by PicR in A. faecalis JQ135 and provides new insights into the structure and function of the MarR-type regulator. IMPORTANCE The pic gene cluster was found to be responsible for PA degradation and widely distributed in Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria. Thus, it is very necessary to understand the regulation mechanism of the pic cluster in these strains. This study revealed that PicR binds to three sites of the promoter regions of the pic cluster to multiply regulate the transcription of the pic cluster, which enables A. faecalis JQ135 to efficiently utilize PA. Furthermore, the study also found a unique palindrome sequence for binding of the MarR-type regulator. This study enhanced our understanding of microbial catabolism of environmental toxic pyridine derivatives.

Directed Evolution of Transcription Factor-Based Biosensors for Altered Effector Specificity

Transcription factor-based biosensors are important tools in Synthetic Biology for the sensing of industrially valuable molecules and clinically important metabolites, therefore presenting applications in the bioremediation, industrial biotechnology, and biomedical fields. The directed evolution of allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) with the aim of altering effector specificity has the potential for the development of new biosensors to detect natural and nonnatural molecules, expanding the scope of available aTF-based biosensors. In this chapter, we delineate a general method for the directed evolution of aTFs. The theory of library design is discussed, along with the detailed methodology for an improved transformation of combined libraries, and the experimental search space by counterselection using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is presented.

Mechanism of transcription regulation by Acinetobacter baumannii HpaR in the catabolism of p-hydroxyphenylacetate

HpaR is a transcription regulator in the MarR family that controls the expression of the gene cluster responsible for conversion of p-hydroxyphenylacetate to pyruvate and succinate for cellular metabolism. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii HpaR (AbHpaR) and its complex with cognate DNA. Our study revealed that AbHpaR binds upstream of the divergently transcribed hpaA gene and the meta-cleavage operon, as well as the hpaR gene, thereby repressing their transcription by blocking access of RNA polymerase. Structural analysis of AbHpaR-DNA complex revealed that the DNA binding specificity can be achieved via a combination of both direct and indirect DNA sequence readouts. DNA binding of AbHpaR is weakened by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (DHPA), which is the substrate of the meta-cleavage reactions; this likely leads to expression of the target genes. Based on our findings, we propose a model for how A. baumannii controls transcription of HPA-metabolizing genes, which highlights the independence of global catabolite repression and could be beneficial for metabolic engineering towards bioremediation applications.

Uncovering and Engineering a Mini-Regulatory Network of the TetR-Family Regulator SACE_0303 for Yield Improvement of Erythromycin in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Erythromycins produced by Saccharopolyspora erythraea have broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. Recently, several TetR-family transcriptional regulators (TFRs) were identified to control erythromycin production by multiplex control modes; however, their regulatory network remains poorly understood. In this study, we report a novel TFR, SACE_0303, positively correlated with erythromycin production in Sac. erythraea. It directly represses its adjacent gene SACE_0304 encoding a MarR-family regulator and indirectly stimulates the erythromycin biosynthetic gene eryAI and resistance gene ermE. SACE_0304 negatively regulates erythromycin biosynthesis by directly inhibiting SACE_0303 as well as eryAI and indirectly repressing ermE. Then, the SACE_0303 binding site within the SACE_0303-SACE_0304 intergenic region was defined. Through genome scanning combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments, three additional SACE_0303 target genes (SACE_2467 encoding cation-transporting ATPase, SACE_3156 encoding a large transcriptional regulator, SACE_5222 encoding α-ketoglutarate permease) were identified and proved to negatively affect erythromycin production. Finally, by coupling CRISPRi-based repression of those three targets with SACE_0304 deletion and SACE_0303 overexpression, we performed stepwise engineering of the SACE_0303-mediated mini-regulatory network in a high-yield strain, resulting in enhanced erythromycin production by 67%. In conclusion, the present study uncovered the regulatory network of a novel TFR for control of erythromycin production and provides a multiplex tactic to facilitate the engineering of industrial actinomycetes for yield improvement of antibiotics.

A catalogue of signal molecules that interact with sensor kinases, chemoreceptors and transcriptional regulators

Bacteria have evolved many different signal transduction systems that sense signals and generate a variety of responses. Generally, most abundant are transcriptional regulators, sensor histidine kinases and chemoreceptors. Typically, these systems recognize their signal molecules with dedicated ligand-binding domains (LBDs), which, in turn, generate a molecular stimulus that modulates the activity of the output module. There are an enormous number of different LBDs that recognize a similarly diverse set of signals. To give a global perspective of the signals that interact with transcriptional regulators, sensor kinases and chemoreceptors, we manually retrieved information on the protein-ligand interaction from about 1,200 publications and 3D structures. The resulting 811 proteins were classified according to the Pfam family into 127 groups. These data permit a delineation of the signal profiles of individual LBD families as well as distinguishing between families that recognize signals in a promiscuous manner and those that possess a well-defined ligand range. A major bottleneck in the field is the fact that the signal input of many signaling systems is unknown. The signal repertoire reported here will help the scientific community design experimental strategies to identify the signaling molecules for uncharacterised sensor proteins.

The MarR-Type Regulator PA3458 Is Involved in Osmoadaptation Control in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a facultative human pathogen, causing acute and chronic infections that are especially dangerous for immunocompromised patients. The eradication of P. aeruginosa is difficult due to its intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, high adaptability, and genetic plasticity. The bacterium possesses multilevel regulatory systems engaging a huge repertoire of transcriptional regulators (TRs). Among these, the MarR family encompasses a number of proteins, mainly acting as repressors, which are involved in response to various environmental signals. In this work, we aimed to decipher the role of PA3458, a putative MarR-type TR from P. aeruginosa. Transcriptional profiling of P. aeruginosa PAO1161 overexpressing PA3458 showed changes in the mRNA level of 133 genes; among them, 100 were down-regulated, suggesting the repressor function of PA3458. Concomitantly, ChIP-seq analysis identified more than 300 PA3458 binding sites in P. aeruginosa. The PA3458 regulon encompasses genes involved in stress response, including the PA3459–PA3461 operon, which is divergent to PA3458. This operon encodes an asparagine synthase, a GNAT-family acetyltransferase, and a glutamyl aminopeptidase engaged in the production of N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide (NAGGN), which is a potent bacterial osmoprotectant. We showed that PA3458-mediated control of PA3459–PA3461 expression is required for the adaptation of P. aeruginosa growth in high osmolarity. Overall, our data indicate that PA3458 plays a role in osmoadaptation control in P. aeruginosa.

Formaldehyde-responsive proteins, TtmR and EfgA, reveal a tradeoff between formaldehyde resistance and efficient transition to methylotrophy in Methylorubrum extorquens

For bacteria to thrive they must be well-adapted to their environmental niche, which may involve specialized metabolism, timely adaptation to shifting environments, and/or the ability to mitigate numerous stressors. These attributes are highly dependent on cellular machinery that can sense both the external and intracellular environment. Methylorubrum extorquens is an extensively studied facultative methylotroph, an organism that can use single-carbon compounds as their sole source of carbon and energy. In methylotrophic metabolism, carbon flows through formaldehyde as a central metabolite; thus, formaldehyde is both an obligate metabolite and a metabolic stressor. Via the one-carbon dissimilation pathway, free formaldehyde is rapidly incorporated by formaldehyde activating enzyme (Fae), which is constitutively expressed at high levels. In the presence of elevated formaldehyde levels, a recently identified formaldehyde-sensing protein, EfgA, induces growth arrest. Herein, we describe TtmR, a formaldehyde-responsive transcription factor that, like EfgA, modulates formaldehyde resistance. TtmR is a member of the MarR family of transcription factors and impacts the expression of 75 genes distributed throughout the genome, many of which are transcription factors and/or involved in stress response, including efgA Notably, when M. extorquens is adapting its metabolic network during the transition to methylotrophy, efgA and ttmR mutants experience an imbalance in formaldehyde production and a notable growth delay. Although methylotrophy necessitates that M. extorquens maintain a relatively high level of formaldehyde tolerance, this work reveals a tradeoff between formaldehyde resistance and the efficient transition to methylotrophic growth and suggests that TtmR and EfgA play a pivotal role in maintaining this balance.Importance: All organisms produce formaldehyde as a byproduct of enzymatic reactions and as a degradation product of metabolites. The ubiquity of formaldehyde in cellular biology suggests all organisms have evolved mechanisms of mitigating formaldehyde toxicity. However, formaldehyde-sensing is poorly described and prevention of formaldehyde-induced damage is primarily understood in the context of detoxification. Here we use an organism that is regularly exposed to elevated intracellular formaldehyde concentrations through high-flux one-carbon utilization pathways to gain insight into the role of formaldehyde-responsive proteins that modulate formaldehyde resistance. Using a combination of genetic and transcriptomic analyses, we identify dozens of genes putatively involved in formaldehyde resistance, determined the relationship between two different formaldehyde response systems and identified an inherent tradeoff between formaldehyde resistance and optimal transition to methylotrophic metabolism.

Joint engineering of SACE_Lrp and its target MarR enhances the biosynthesis and export of erythromycin in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

The Lrp and MarR families are two groups of transcriptional regulators widely distributed among prokaryotes. However, the hierarchical-regulatory relationship between the Lrp family and the MarR family remains unknown. Our previous study found that an Lrp (SACE_Lrp) from Saccharopolyspora erythraea indirectly repressed the biosynthesis of erythromycin. In this study, we characterized a novel MarR family protein (SACE_6745) from S. erythraea, which is controlled by SACE_Lrp and plays a direct regulatory role in erythromycin biosynthesis and export. SACE_Lrp directly regulated the expression of marR by specifically binding a precise site OM (5'-CTCCGGGAACCATT-3'). Gene disruption of marR increased the production of erythromycin by 45% in S. erythraea A226. We found that MarR has direct DNA-binding activity for the promoter regions of the erythromycin biosynthetic genes, as well as an ABC exporter SACE_2701-2702 which was genetically proved to be responsible for erythromycin efflux. Disruption of SACE_Lrp in industrial S. erythraea WB was an efficient strategy to enhance erythromycin production. Herein, we jointly engineered SACE_Lrp and its target MarR by deleting marR in WBΔSACE_Lrp, resulting in 20% increase in erythromycin yield in mutant WBΔLrpΔmarR compared to WBΔSACE_Lrp, and 39% to WB. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the hierarchical-regulatory relationship of Lrp and MarR proteins and new avenues for coordinating antibiotic biosynthesis and export by joint engineering regulators in actinomycetes. KEY POINTS: • The hierarchical-regulatory relationship between SACE_Lrp and MarR was identified. • MarR directly controlled the expression of erythromycin biosynthesis and export genes. • Joint engineering of SACE_Lrp-MarR regulatory element enhanced erythromycin production.

A green tea-triggered genetic control system for treating diabetes in mice and monkeys

Cell-based therapies are recognized as the next frontier in medicine, but the translation of many promising technologies into the clinic is currently limited by a lack of remote-control inducers that are safe and can be tightly regulated. Here, we developed therapeutically active engineered cells regulated by a control system that is responsive to protocatechuic acid (PCA), a metabolite found in green tea. We constructed multiple genetic control technologies that could toggle a PCA-responsive ON/OFF switch based on a transcriptional repressor from Streptomyces coelicolor We demonstrated that PCA-controlled switches can be used for guide RNA expression-mediated control of the CRISPR-Cas9 systems for gene editing and epigenetic remodeling. We showed how these technologies could be used as implantable biocomputers in live mice to perform complex logic computations that integrated signals from multiple food metabolites. Last, we used our system to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. This biocompatible and versatile food phenolic acid-controlled transgenic device opens opportunities for dynamic interventions in gene- and cell-based precision medicine.

Degradation strategies and associated regulatory mechanisms/features for aromatic compound metabolism in bacteria

As a result of anthropogenic activity, large number of recalcitrant aromatic compounds have been released into the environment. Consequently, microbial communities have adapted and evolved to utilize these compounds as sole carbon source, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The constitutive expression of enzymes necessary for metabolism imposes a heavy energy load on the microbe which is overcome by arrangement of degradative genes as operons which are induced by specific inducers. The segmentation of pathways into upper, middle and/or lower operons has allowed microbes to funnel multiple compounds into common key aromatic intermediates which are further metabolized through central carbon pathway. Various proteins belonging to diverse families have evolved to regulate the transcription of individual operons participating in aromatic catabolism. These proteins, complemented with global regulatory mechanisms, carry out the regulation of aromatic compound metabolic pathways in a concerted manner. Additionally, characteristics like chemotaxis, preferential utilization, pathway compartmentalization and biosurfactant production confer an advantage to the microbe, thus making bioremediation of the aromatic pollutants more efficient and effective.

Directed evolution of the PcaV allosteric transcription factor to generate a biosensor for aromatic aldehydes

Background

Transcription factor-based biosensors are useful tools for the detection of metabolites and industrially valuable molecules, and present many potential applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. However, the most common approach to develop biosensors relies on employing a limited set of naturally occurring allosteric transcription factors (aTFs). Therefore, altering the ligand specificity of aTFs towards the detection of new effectors is an important goal.

Results

Here, the PcaV repressor, a member of the MarR aTF family, was used to develop a biosensor for the detection of hydroxyl-substituted benzoic acids, including protocatechuic acid (PCA). The PCA biosensor was further subjected to directed evolution to alter its ligand specificity towards vanillin and other closely related aromatic aldehydes, to generate the Van2 biosensor. Ligand recognition of Van2 was explored in vitro using a range of biochemical and biophysical analyses, and extensive in vivo genetic-phenotypic analysis was performed to determine the role of each amino acid change upon biosensor performance.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report directed evolution of a member of the MarR aTF family, and demonstrates the plasticity of the PCA biosensor by altering its ligand specificity to generate a biosensor for aromatic aldehydes.

Specificity of protein-DNA interactions in hypersaline environment: structural studies on complexes of Halobacterium salinarum oxidative stress-dependent protein hsRosR

Interactions between proteins and DNA are crucial for all biological systems. Many studies have shown the dependence of protein–DNA interactions on the surrounding salt concentration. How these interactions are maintained in the hypersaline environments that halophiles inhabit remains puzzling. Towards solving this enigma, we identified the DNA motif recognized by the Halobactrium salinarum ROS-dependent transcription factor (hsRosR), determined the structure of several hsRosR–DNA complexes and investigated the DNA-binding process under extreme high-salt conditions. The picture that emerges from this work contributes to our understanding of the principles underlying the interplay between electrostatic interactions and salt-mediated protein–DNA interactions in an ionic environment characterized by molar salt concentrations.

LmbU, a Cluster-Situated Regulator for Lincomycin, Consists of a DNA-Binding Domain, an Auto-Inhibitory Domain, and Forms Homodimer

Few studies were reported about the regulatory mechanism of lincomycin biosynthesis since it was found in 1962. Although we have proved that a cluster-situated regulator (CSR) LmbU (GenBank Accession No. ABX00623.1) positively modulates lincomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lincolnensis NRRL 2936, the molecular mechanism of LmbU regulation is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that LmbU binds to the target lmbAp by a central DNA-binding domain (DBD), which interacts with the binding sites through the helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif. N-terminal of LmbU includes an auto-inhibitory domain (AID), inhibiting the DNA-binding activity of LmbU. Without the AID, LmbU variant can bind to its own promoter. Interestingly, compared to other LmbU homologs, the homologs within the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of known antibiotics generally contain N-terminal AIDs, which offer them the abilities to play complex regulatory functions. In addition, cysteine 12 (C12) has been proved to be mainly responsible for LmbU homodimer formation in vitro. In conclusion, LmbU homologs naturally exist in hundreds of actinomycetes, and belong to a new regulatory family, LmbU family. The present study reveals the DBD, AID and dimerization of LmbU, and sheds new light on the regulatory mechanism of LmbU and its homologs.

Isolation and Transcriptome Analysis of Phenol-Degrading Bacterium From Carbon-Sand Filters in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Phenol is a typical organic contaminant in the environment. To date, the biodegradation of phenol by microorganisms remains the preferred method for its removal and remediation, but data on phenol removal by drinking water biofilters are lacking. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to investigate the microbial community structure in a carbon-sand biofilter. The results indicated that the predominant bacterial group was Bacilli, followed by Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, and Alphaproteobacteria. In addition, a strain was capable of degrading phenol at low concentrations of 500 μg/L within 100 min was isolated and identified as Rhodococcus sp. CS-1. Transcriptome analysis results showed that Rhodococcus sp. CS-1 was able to degrade phenol via both the catechol and protocatechuate branch of the β-ketoadipate pathway. Furthermore, some novel candidate biomarkers (copper oxidase, copper chaperone, and MarR/DeoR/TetR family transcriptional regulators) were successfully identified to be potentially involved in phenol biodegradation. This study indicates that carbon-sand filters have the potential for remediation of phenol. The application of native microorganisms to drinking water treatment system is an adaptive strategy in oligotrophic water environments.

SAV4189, a MarR-Family Regulator in Streptomyces avermitilis, Activates Avermectin Biosynthesis

The bacterial species Streptomyces avermitilis is an important industrial producer of avermectins, which are widely utilized as effective anthelmintic and insecticidal drugs. We used gene deletion, complementation, and overexpression experiments to identify SAV4189, a MarR-family transcriptional regulator (MFR) in this species, as an activator of avermectin biosynthesis. SAV4189 indirectly stimulated avermectin production by altering expression of cluster-situated activator gene aveR, and directly repressed the transcription of its own gene (sav_4189) and adjacent cotranscribed gene sav_4190 (which encodes an unknown transmembrane efflux protein). A consensus 13-bp palindromic sequence, 5'-TTGCCYKHRSCAA-3' (Y = T/C; K = T/G; H = A/C/T; R = A/G; S = C/G), was found within the SAV4189-binding sites of its own promoter region, and shown to be essential for binding. The SAV4189 regulon was thus predicted based on bioinformatic analysis. Night new identified SAV4189 targets are involved in transcriptional regulation, primary metabolism, secondary metabolism, and stress response, reflecting a pleiotropic role of SAV4189. sav_4190, the important target gene of SAV4189, exerted a negative effect on avermectin production. sav_4189 overexpression and sav_4190 deletion in S. avermitilis wild-type and industrial strains significantly increased avermectin production. SAV4189 homologs are widespread in other Streptomyces species. sav_4189 overexpression in the model species S. coelicolor also enhanced antibiotic production. The strategy of increasing yield of important antibiotics by engineering of SAV4189 homologs and target gene may potentially be extended to other industrial Streptomyces species. In addition, SAV4189 bound and responded to exogenous antibiotics hygromycin B and thiostrepton to modulate its DNA-binding activity and transcription of target genes. SAV4189 is the first reported exogenous antibiotic receptor among Streptomyces MFRs.

Functional Mechanism of the Efflux Pumps Transcription Regulators From Pseudomonas aeruginosa Based on 3D Structures

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a worldwide health problem that deserves important research attention in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as one of the priority bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. In this opportunistic pathogen, antibiotics efflux is one of the most prevalent mechanisms where the drug is efficiently expulsed through the cell-wall. This resistance mechanism is highly correlated to the expression level of efflux pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family, which is finely tuned by gene regulators. Thus, it is worthwhile considering the efflux pump regulators of P. aeruginosa as promising therapeutical targets alternative. Several families of regulators have been identified, including activators and repressors that control the genetic expression of the pumps in response to an extracellular signal, such as the presence of the antibiotic or other environmental modifications. In this review, based on different crystallographic structures solved from archetypal bacteria, we will first focus on the molecular mechanism of the regulator families involved in the RND efflux pump expression in P. aeruginosa, which are TetR, LysR, MarR, AraC, and the two-components system (TCS). Finally, the regulators of known structure from P. aeruginosa will be presented.

Structural basis of transcriptional regulation by CouR, a repressor of coumarate catabolism, in Rhodopseudomonas palustris

The MarR family transcriptional regulator CouR, from the soil bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009, has recently been shown to negatively regulate a p-coumarate catabolic operon. Unlike most characterized MarR repressors that respond to small metabolites at concentrations in the millimolar range, repression by CouR is alleviated by the 800-Da ligand p-coumaroyl-CoA with high affinity and specificity. Here we report the crystal structures of ligand-free CouR as well as the complex with p-coumaroyl-CoA, each to 2.1-Å resolution, and the 2.85-Å resolution cocrystal structure of CouR bound to an oligonucleotide bearing the cognate DNA operator sequence. In combination with binding experiments that uncover specific residues important for ligand and DNA recognition, these structures provide glimpses of a MarR family repressor in all possible states, providing an understanding of the molecular basis of DNA binding and the conformation alterations that accompany ligand-induced dissociation for activation of the operon.

Mechanistic studies of DepR in regulating FK228 biosynthesis in Chromobacterium violaceum no. 968

DepR, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator encoded by the last gene of the putative min operon (orf21-20-19-depR) located at the downstream region of the anticancer agent FK228 biosynthetic gene cluster in Chromobacterium violaceum No. 968, positively regulates the biosynthesis of FK228. In this work, the mechanism underlining this positive regulation was probed by multiple approaches. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNase I footprinting assay (DIFA) identified a conserved 35-nt DNA segment in the orf21-orf22 intergenic region where the purified recombinant DepR binds to. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) promoter probe assays established that transcription of phasin gene orf22 increases in the depR deletion mutant of C. violaceum (CvΔdepR) compared to the wild-type strain. FK228 production in the orf22-overexpressed strain C. violaceum was reduced compared with the wild-type strain. DepR has two conserved cysteine residues C199 and C208 presumed to form a disulfide bridge upon sensing oxidative stress. C199X point mutations that locked DepR in a reduced conformation decreased the DNA-binding affinity of DepR; T232A or R278A mutation also had a negative impact on DNA binding of DepR. Complementation of CvΔdepR with any of those versions of depR carrying a single codon mutation was not able to restore FK228 production to the level of wild-type strain. All evidences collectively suggested that DepR positively regulates the biosynthesis of FK228 through indirect metabolic networking.

A peculiar IclR family transcription factor regulates para-hydroxybenzoate catabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor

In Streptomyces coelicolor, we identified a para-hydroxybenzoate (PHB) hydroxylase, encoded by gene pobA (SCO3084), which is responsible for conversion of PHB into PCA (protocatechuic acid), a substrate of the β-ketoadipate pathway which yields intermediates of the Krebs cycle. We also found that the transcription of pobA is induced by PHB and is negatively regulated by the product of SCO3209, which we named PobR. The product of this gene is highly unusual in that it is the apparent fusion of two IclR family transcription factors. Bioinformatic analyses, in vivo transcriptional assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), DNase I footprinting, and isothermal calorimetry (ITC) were used to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of PobR. We found that PobR loses its high affinity for DNA (i.e., the pobA operator) in the presence of PHB, the inducer of pobA transcription. PHB binds to PobR with a KD of 5.8 μM. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed that PobR is a dimer in the absence of PHB and a monomer in the presence of PHB. The crystal structure of PobR in complex with PHB showed that only one of the two IclR ligand binding domains was occupied, and defined how the N-terminal ligand binding domain engages the effector ligand.

Structural basis of effector and operator recognition by the phenolic acid-responsive transcriptional regulator PadR

The PadR family is a large group of transcriptional regulators that function as environmental sensors. PadR negatively controls the expression of phenolic acid decarboxylase, which detoxifies harmful phenolic acids. To identify the mechanism by which PadR regulates phenolic acid-mediated gene expression, we performed structural and mutational studies of effector and operator recognition by Bacillus subtilis PadR. PadR contains an N-terminal winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) domain (NTD) and a C-terminal homodimerization domain (CTD) and dimerizes into a dolmen shape. The PadR dimer interacts with the palindromic sequence of the operator DNA using the NTD. Two tyrosine residues and a positively charged residue in the NTD provide major DNA-binding energy and are highly conserved in the PadR family, suggesting that these three residues represent the canonical DNA-binding motif of the PadR family. PadR directly binds a phenolic acid effector molecule using a unique interdomain pocket created between the NTD and the CTD. Although the effector-binding site of PadR is positionally segregated from the DNA-binding site, effector binding to the interdomain pocket causes PadR to be rearranged into a DNA binding-incompatible conformer through an allosteric interdomain-reorganization mechanism.

The Novel Transcriptional Regulator LmbU Promotes Lincomycin Biosynthesis through Regulating Expression of Its Target Genes in Streptomyces lincolnensis

Lincomycin A is a clinically important antimicrobial agent produced by Streptomyces lincolnensis In this study, a new regulator designated LmbU (GenBank accession no. ABX00623.1) was identified and characterized to regulate lincomycin biosynthesis in S. lincolnensis wild-type strain NRRL 2936. Both inactivation and overexpression of lmbU resulted in significant influences on lincomycin production. Transcriptional analysis and in vivo neomycin resistance (Neo^r) reporter assays demonstrated that LmbU activates expression of the lmbA, lmbC, lmbJ, and lmbW genes and represses expression of the lmbK and lmbU genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrated that LmbU can bind to the regions upstream of the lmbA and lmbW genes through the consensus and palindromic sequence 5'-CGCCGGCG-3'. However, LmbU cannot bind to the regions upstream of the lmbC, lmbJ, lmbK, and lmbU genes as they lack this motif. These data indicate a complex transcriptional regulatory mechanism of LmbU. LmbU homologues are present in the biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites of many other actinomycetes. Furthermore, the LmbU homologue from Saccharopolyspora erythraea (GenBank accession no. WP_009944629.1) also binds to the regions upstream of lmbA and lmbW, which suggests widespread activity for this regulator. LmbU homologues have no significant structural similarities to other known cluster-situated regulators (CSRs), which indicates that they belong to a new family of regulatory proteins. In conclusion, the present report identifies LmbU as a novel transcriptional regulator and provides new insights into regulation of lincomycin biosynthesis in S. lincolnensisIMPORTANCE Although lincomycin biosynthesis has been extensively studied, its regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, a novel regulator, LmbU, which regulates transcription of its target genes in the lincomycin biosynthetic gene cluster (lmb gene cluster) and therefore promotes lincomycin biosynthesis, was identified in S. lincolnensis strain NRRL 2936. Importantly, we show that this new regulatory element is relatively widespread across diverse actinomycetes species. In addition, our findings provide a new strategy for improvement of yield of lincomycin through manipulation of LmbU, and this approach could also be evaluated in other secondary metabolite gene clusters containing this regulatory protein.

Bacterial catabolism of lignin-derived aromatics: New findings in a recent decade: Update on bacterial lignin catabolism

Lignin is the most abundant phenolic polymer; thus, its decomposition by microorganisms is fundamental to carbon cycling on earth. Lignin breakdown is initiated by depolymerization catalysed by extracellular oxidoreductases secreted by white-rot basidiomycetous fungi. On the other hand, bacteria play a predominant role in the mineralization of lignin-derived heterogeneous low-molecular-weight aromatic compounds. The outline of bacterial catabolic pathways for lignin-derived bi- and monoaryls are typically composed of the following sequential steps: (i) funnelling of a wide variety of lignin-derived aromatics into vanillate and syringate, (ii) O demethylation of vanillate and syringate to form catecholic derivatives and (iii) aromatic ring-cleavage of the catecholic derivatives to produce tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Knowledge regarding bacterial catabolic systems for lignin-derived aromatic compounds is not only important for understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle but also valuable for promoting the shift to a low-carbon economy via biological lignin valorisation. This review summarizes recent progress in bacterial catabolic systems for lignin-derived aromatic compounds, including newly identified catabolic pathways and genes for decomposition of lignin-derived biaryls, transcriptional regulation and substrate uptake systems. Recent omics approaches on catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds are also described.

Structural analysis of the regulatory mechanism of MarR protein Rv2887 in M. tuberculosis

MarR family proteins are transcriptional regulators that control expression of bacterial proteins involved in metabolism, virulence, stress responses and multi-drug resistance, mainly via ligand-mediated attenuation of DNA binding. Greater understanding of their underlying regulatory mechanism may open up new avenues for the effective treatment of bacterial infections. To gain molecular insight into the mechanism of Rv2887, a MarR family protein in M. tuberculosis, we first showed that it binds salicylate (SA) and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), its structural analogue and an antitubercular drug, in a 1:1 stoichiometry with high affinity. Subsequent determination and analysis of Rv2887 crystal structures in apo form, and in complex with SA, PAS and DNA showed that SA and PAS bind to Rv2887 at similar sites, and that Rv2887 interacts with DNA mainly by insertion of helix α4 into the major groove. Ligand binding triggers rotation of the wHTH domain of Rv2887 toward the dimerization domain, causing changes in protein conformation such that it can no longer bind to a 27 bp recognition sequence in the upstream region of gene Rv0560c. The structures provided here lay a foundation for the design of small molecules that target Rv2887, a potential new approach for the development of anti-mycobacterials.

Histidine switch controlling pH-dependent protein folding and DNA binding in a transcription factor at the core of synthetic network devices

Therapeutic strategies have been reported that depend on synthetic network devices in which a urate-sensing transcriptional regulator detects pathological levels of urate and triggers production or release of urate oxidase. The transcription factor involved, HucR, is a member of the multiple antibiotic resistance (MarR) protein family. We show that protonation of stacked histidine residues at the pivot point of long helices that form the scaffold of the dimer interface leads to reversible formation of a molten globule state and significantly attenuated DNA binding at physiological temperatures. We also show that binding of urate to symmetrical sites in each protein lobe is communicated via the dimer interface. This is the first demonstration of regulation of a MarR family transcription factor by pH-dependent interconversion between a molten globule and a compact folded state. Our data further suggest that HucR may be utilized in synthetic devices that depend on detection of pH changes.

MarR family transcription factors: dynamic variations on a common scaffold

Members of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family of transcription factors are critical for bacterial cells to respond to chemical signals and to convert such signals into changes in gene activity. Obligate dimers belonging to the winged helix-turn-helix protein family, they are critical for regulation of a variety of functions, including degradation of organic compounds and control of virulence gene expression. The conventional regulatory paradigm is based on a genomic locus in which the gene encoding the MarR protein is divergently oriented from a gene under its control; MarR binding to the intergenic region controls expression of both genes by changing the interaction of RNA polymerase with gene promoters. MarR protein oxidation or binding of a small molecule ligand adversely affects DNA binding, resulting in altered expression of the divergent genes. The generality of this simple paradigm, including the regulation of Escherichia coli MarR by direct binding of antibiotics, has been challenged by reports published in recent years. In addition, structural and biochemical analyses of ligand binding to numerous MarR homologs are converging to identify a shared ligand-binding "hot-spot". This review highlights recent research advances that point to shared features, yet at the same time highlights the remarkable flexibility with which members of this protein family implement responses to inducing signals. A more comprehensive understanding of protein function will pave the way towards the development of both antibacterial agents and biosensors that are based on MarR family proteins.

Regulation of Metabolic Pathways by MarR Family Transcription Factors

Bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for regulation of metabolic pathways. Such regulatory circuits ensure that anabolic pathways remain repressed unless final products are in short supply and that catabolic enzymes are not produced in absence of their substrates. The precisely tuned gene activity underlying such circuits is in the purview of transcription factors that may bind pathway intermediates, which in turn modulate transcription factor function and therefore gene expression. This review focuses on the role of ligand-responsive MarR family transcription factors in controlling expression of genes encoding metabolic enzymes and the mechanisms by which such control is exerted. Prospects for exploiting these transcription factors for optimization of gene expression for metabolic engineering and for the development of biosensors are considered.

The MarR-Type Regulator Rdh2R Regulates rdh Gene Transcription in Dehalococcoides mccartyi Strain CBDB1

Reductive dehalogenases are essential enzymes in organohalide respiration and consist of a catalytic subunit A and a membrane protein B, encoded by rdhAB genes. Thirty-two rdhAB genes exist in the genome of Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1. To gain a first insight into the regulation of rdh operons, the control of gene expression of two rdhAB genes (cbdbA1453/cbdbA1452 and cbdbA1455/cbdbA1454) by the MarR-type regulator Rdh2R (cbdbA1456) encoded directly upstream was studied using heterologous expression and in vitro studies. Promoter-lacZ reporter fusions were generated and integrated into the genome of the Escherichia coli host. The lacZ reporter activities of both rdhA promoters decreased upon transformation of the cells with a plasmid carrying the rdh2R gene, suggesting that Rdh2R acts as repressor, whereas the lacZ reporter activity of the rdh2R promoter was not affected. The transcriptional start sites of both rdhA genes in strain CBDB1 and/or the heterologous host mapped to a conserved direct repeat with 11- to 13-bp half-sites. DNase I footprinting revealed binding of Rdh2R to a ∼30-bp sequence covering the complete direct repeat in both promoters, including the transcriptional start sites. Equilibrium sedimentation ultracentrifugation revealed that Rdh2R binds as tetramer to the direct-repeat motif of the rdhA (cbdbA1455) promoter. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, a similar binding affinity was found for both rdhA promoters. In the presence of only one half-site of the direct repeat, the interaction was strongly reduced, suggesting a positive cooperativity of binding, for which unusual short palindromes within the direct-repeat half-sites might play an important role.

IMPORTANCE

Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains are obligate anaerobes that grow by organohalide respiration. They have an important bioremediation potential because they are capable of reducing a multitude of halogenated compounds to less toxic products. We are now beginning to understand how these organisms make use of this large catabolic potential, whereby D. mccartyi expresses dehalogenases in a compound-specific fashion. MarR-type regulators are often encoded in the vicinity of reductive dehalogenase genes. In this study, we made use of heterologous expression and in vitro studies to demonstrate that the MarR-type transcription factor Rdh2R acts as a negative regulator. We identify its binding site on the DNA, which suggests a mechanism by which it controls the expression of two adjacent reductive dehalogenase operons.

CpsR, a GntR family regulator, transcriptionally regulates capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis and governs bacterial virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Transcriptional regulation of capsule expression is critical for pneumococcal transition from carriage to infection, yet the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we describe the regulation of capsular polysaccharide, one of the most important pneumococcal virulence factor by a GntR family regulator, CpsR. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays have shown the direct interaction between CpsR and the cps promoter (cpsp), and their interaction could be competitively interfered by glucose. DNase I footprinting assays localized the binding site to a region −146 to −114 base pairs relative to the transcriptional start site of the cps locus in S. pneumoniae D39. We found that CpsR negatively controlled the transcription of the cps locus and hence CPS production, which was confirmed by fine-tuning expression of CpsR in a ΔcpsR complemented strain. Increased expression of CpsR in complemented strain led to a decreased resistance to the whole-blood-mediated killing, suggesting a protective role for CpsR-cpsp interaction in the establishment of invasive infection. Finally, animal experiments showed that CpsR-cpsp interaction was necessary for both pneumococcal colonization and invasive infection. Taken together, our results provide a thorough insight into the regulation of capsule production mediated by CpsR and its important roles in pneumococcal pathogenesis.

HosA, a MarR Family Transcriptional Regulator, Represses Nonoxidative Hydroxyarylic Acid Decarboxylase Operon and Is Modulated by 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid

Members of the Multiple antibiotic resistance Regulator (MarR) family of DNA binding proteins regulate transcription of a wide array of genes required for virulence and pathogenicity of bacteria. The present study reports the molecular characterization of HosA (Homologue of SlyA), a MarR protein, with respect to its target gene, DNA recognition motif, and nature of its ligand. Through a comparative genomics approach, we demonstrate that hosA is in synteny with nonoxidative hydroxyarylic acid decarboxylase (HAD) operon and is present exclusively within the mutS-rpoS polymorphic region in nine different genera of Enterobacteriaceae family. Using molecular biology and biochemical approach, we demonstrate that HosA binds to a palindromic sequence downstream to the transcription start site of divergently transcribed nonoxidative HAD operon and represses its expression. Furthermore, in silico analysis showed that the recognition motif for HosA is highly conserved in the upstream region of divergently transcribed operon in different genera of Enterobacteriaceae family. A systematic chemical search for the physiological ligand revealed that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) interacts with HosA and derepresses HosA mediated repression of the nonoxidative HAD operon. Based on our study, we propose a model for molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of nonoxidative HAD operon by HosA in Enterobacteriaceae family.

Identification of a Ligand Binding Pocket in LdtR from Liberibacter asiaticus

LdtR is a transcriptional activator involved in the regulation of a putative L,D transpeptidase in Liberibacter asiaticus, an unculturable pathogen and one of the causative agents of Huanglongbing disease. Using small molecule screens we identified benzbromarone as an inhibitor of LdtR activity, which was confirmed using in vivo and in vitro assays. Based on these previous results, the objective of this work was to identify the LdtR ligand binding pocket and characterize its interactions with benzbromarone. A structural model of LdtR was constructed and the molecular interactions with the ligand were predicted using the SwissDock interface. Using site-directed mutagenesis, these residues were changed to alanine. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, thermal denaturation, isothermal titration calorimetry experiments, and in vivo assays were used to identify residues T43, L61, and F64 in the Benz1 pocket of LdtR as the amino acids most likely involved in the binding to benzbromarone. These results provide new information on the binding mechanism of LdtR to a modulatory molecule and provide a blue print for the design of therapeutics for other members of the MarR family of transcriptional regulators involved in pathogenicity.

The activity of CouR, a MarR family transcriptional regulator, is modulated through a novel molecular mechanism

CouR, a MarR-type transcriptional repressor, regulates the cou genes, encoding p-hydroxycinnamate catabolism in the soil bacterium Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. The CouR dimer bound two molecules of the catabolite p-coumaroyl-CoA (Kd = 11 ± 1 μM). The presence of p-coumaroyl-CoA, but neither p-coumarate nor CoASH, abrogated CouR's binding to its operator DNA in vitro. The crystal structures of ligand-free CouR and its p-coumaroyl-CoA-bound form showed no significant conformational differences, in contrast to other MarR regulators. The CouR-p-coumaroyl-CoA structure revealed two ligand molecules bound to the CouR dimer with their phenolic moieties occupying equivalent hydrophobic pockets in each protomer and their CoA moieties adopting non-equivalent positions to mask the regulator's predicted DNA-binding surface. More specifically, the CoA phosphates formed salt bridges with predicted DNA-binding residues Arg36 and Arg38, changing the overall charge of the DNA-binding surface. The substitution of either arginine with alanine completely abrogated the ability of CouR to bind DNA. By contrast, the R36A/R38A double variant retained a relatively high affinity for p-coumaroyl-CoA (Kd = 89 ± 6 μM). Together, our data point to a novel mechanism of action in which the ligand abrogates the repressor's ability to bind DNA by steric occlusion of key DNA-binding residues and charge repulsion of the DNA backbone.

An overview on transcriptional regulators in Streptomyces

Streptomyces are Gram-positive microorganisms able to adapt and respond to different environmental conditions. It is the largest genus of Actinobacteria comprising over 900 species. During their lifetime, these microorganisms are able to differentiate, produce aerial mycelia and secondary metabolites. All of these processes are controlled by subtle and precise regulatory systems. Regulation at the transcriptional initiation level is probably the most common for metabolic adaptation in bacteria. In this mechanism, the major players are proteins named transcription factors (TFs), capable of binding DNA in order to repress or activate the transcription of specific genes. Some of the TFs exert their action just like activators or repressors, whereas others can function in both manners, depending on the target promoter. Generally, TFs achieve their effects by using one- or two-component systems, linking a specific type of environmental stimulus to a transcriptional response. After DNA sequencing, many streptomycetes have been found to have chromosomes ranging between 6 and 12Mb in size, with high GC content (around 70%). They encode for approximately 7000 to 10,000 genes, 50 to 100 pseudogenes and a large set (around 12% of the total chromosome) of regulatory genes, organized in networks, controlling gene expression in these bacteria. Among the sequenced streptomycetes reported up to now, the number of transcription factors ranges from 471 to 1101. Among these, 315 to 691 correspond to transcriptional regulators and 31 to 76 are sigma factors. The aim of this work is to give a state of the art overview on transcription factors in the genus Streptomyces.

Purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic studies of a Bacillus cereus MepR-like transcription factor, BC0657

Transcription factors of the MarR family respond to internal and external changes and regulate a variety of biological functions through ligand association with microorganisms. MepR belongs to the MarR family, and its mutations are associated with the development of multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, which has caused a growing health problem. In this study, a Bacillus cereus MepR-like transcription regulator, BC0657, was crystallized. The BC0657 crystals diffracted to 2.05 Å resolution and belonged to either space group P6(2)22 or P6(4)22, with unit-cell parameters a = 110.57, b = 110.57, c = 67.29 Å. There was one molecule per asymmetric unit. Future comparative structural studies on BC0657 would extend knowledge of ligand-induced transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in the MarR family and would make a significant contribution to the design of antibiotic drugs against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Transcriptional response machineries of Bacillus subtilis conducive to plant growth promotion

Bacillus subtilis collectively inhabits the rhizosphere, where it contributes to the promotion of plant growth, although it does not have a direct symbiotic relationship to plants as observed in the case of rhizobia between leguminous plants. As rhizobia sense the flavonoids released from their host roots through the NodD transcriptional factor, which triggers transcription of the nod genes involved in the symbiotic processes, we supposed that B. subtilis utilizes certain flavonoids as signaling molecules to perceive and adapt to the rhizospheric environment that it is in. Our approaches to identify the flavonoid-responsive transcriptional regulatory system from B. subtilis resulted in the findings that three transcriptional factors (LmrA/QdoR, YetL, and Fur) are responsive to flavonoids, with the modes of action being different from each other. We also revealed a unique regulatory system by two transcriptional factors, YcnK and CsoR, for copper homeostasis in B. subtilis. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of these regulatory systems with the relevant information and discuss their physiological significances in the mutually beneficial interaction between B. subtilis and plants, considering the possibility of their application for plant cultivation.

A MarR Family Transcriptional Regulator, DptR3, Activates Daptomycin Biosynthesis and Morphological Differentiation in Streptomyces roseosporus

Daptomycin produced by Streptomyces roseosporus is an important lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat human infections caused by Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. The genetic basis for regulatory mechanisms of daptomycin production is poorly known. Here, we characterized the dptR3 gene, which encodes a MarR family transcriptional regulator located adjacent to the known daptomycin biosynthetic (dpt) genes. Deletion of dptR3 reduced daptomycin production significantly and delayed aerial mycelium formation and sporulation on solid media. Dissection of the mechanism underlying the function of DptR3 in daptomycin production revealed that it stimulates daptomycin production indirectly by altering the transcription of dpt structural genes. DptR3 directly activated the transcription of its own gene, dptR3, but repressed the transcription of the adjacent, divergent gene orf16 (which encodes a putative ABC transporter ATP-binding protein). A 66-nucleotide DptR3-binding site in the intergenic region of dptR3-orf16 was determined by DNase I footprinting, and the palindromic sequence TCATTGTTACCTATGCTCACAATGA (underlining indicates inverted repeats) in the protected region was found to be essential for DptR3 binding. orf16, the major target gene of DptR3, exerted a positive effect on daptomycin biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that DptR3 functions as a global regulator that positively controls daptomycin production and morphological development in S. roseosporus.

Transcriptional regulation of the iac locus from Acinetobacter baumannii by the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid

The iac locus is involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) catabolism in Acinetobacter baumannii. Nine structural genes of iac are transcribed in the same direction, whereas iacR, which encodes a MarR-type transcriptional regulator, is transcribed in the opposite direction. The IacA protein, which is encoded by the second structural gene of the iac locus, is expressed in an IAA-dependent manner. Here, we characterized gene expression from this locus in wild type A. baumannii and in an iacR mutant; this revealed that the iacH promoter is negatively regulated by IacR. The transcriptional site of iacH was determined by using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends; one IacR-binding site was identified between positions -35 and +28 of the iacH promoter. Sequence analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that recombinant IacR binds specifically to a sequence with dyad symmetry in the iacR-iacH overlapping promoters in the absence of IAA. In addition, a two-plasmid expression system in Escherichia coli showed that IAA probably serves as a ligand that binds to IacR and releases it from the iacH promoter, thereby allowing RNA polymerase to transcribe iac. Thus, iac is expressed in order to promote IAA degradation, whereas free IacR is required for iac repression. We conclude that IacR serves as a key regulator of IAA degradation in A. baumannii in the rhizosphere. These results provide new insights into the possible role of A. baumannii in the environment.

Exploring allosteric activation of LigAB from Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6 through kinetics, mutagenesis and computational studies

The protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase (LigAB) from Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6 is the defining member of the Type II extradiol dioxygenase superfamily (a.k.a. PCA Dioxygenase Superfamily or PCADSF) and plays a key aromatic ring-opening role in the metabolism of several lignin derived aromatic compounds. In our search for alternate substrates and inhibitors of LigAB, we discovered allosteric rate enhancement in the presence of non-substrate protocatechuate-like aldehydes such as vanillin. LigAB has the broadest substrate utilization profile of all protocatechuate (PCA) 4,5-dioxygenase described in the literature, however, the rate enhancement is only observed with PCA, with vanillin increasing kcat for LigAB by 36%. Computational docking has identified a potential site of allosteric binding near the entrance to the active site. Examination of a multiple sequence alignment reveals that many of the residues contributing to this newly identified allosteric pocket are highly conserved within the LigB family of the PCADSF. Point mutants of Phe103α and Ala18β, two residues located in the putative allosteric pocket, display altered rate enhancement as compared to LigAB-WT, providing support for the computationally identified allosteric binding site. Further investigation of this binding site may provide insight into the mechanism of this never before observed allosteric activation in extradiol dioxygenases.

Ligand-binding pocket bridges DNA-binding and dimerization domains of the urate-responsive MarR homologue MftR from Burkholderia thailandensis

Members of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family often regulate gene activity by responding to a specific ligand. In the absence of ligand, most MarR proteins function as repressors, while ligand binding causes attenuated DNA binding and therefore increased gene expression. Previously, we have shown that urate is a ligand for MftR (major facilitator transport regulator), which is encoded by the soil bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis. We show here that both mftR and the divergently oriented gene mftP encoding a major facilitator transport protein are upregulated in the presence of urate. MftR binds two cognate sites in the mftR-mftP intergenic region with equivalent affinity and sensitivity to urate. Mutagenesis of four conserved residues previously reported to be involved in urate binding to Deinococcus radiodurans HucR and Rhizobium radiobacter PecS significantly reduced protein stability and DNA binding affinity but not ligand binding. These data suggest that residues equivalent to those implicated in ligand binding to HucR and PecS serve structural roles and that MftR relies on distinct residues for ligand binding. MftR exhibits a two-step melting transition suggesting independent unfolding of the dimerization and DNA-binding regions; urate binding or mutations in the predicted ligand-binding sites result in one-step unfolding transitions. We suggest that MftR binds the ligand in a cleft between the DNA-binding lobes and the dimer interface but that the mechanism of ligand-mediated attenuation of DNA binding differs from that proposed for other urate-responsive MarR homologues. Since DNA binding by MftR is attenuated at 37 °C, our data also suggest that MftR responds to both ligand and a thermal upshift by attenuated DNA binding and upregulation of the genes under its control.

Conformational stability and ligand binding properties of BldR, a member of the MarR family, from Sulfolobus solfataricus

The multiple antibiotic resistance regulators (MarR) constitute a family of ligand-responsive transcriptional regulators ubiquitous among the bacterial and archaeal domains. BldR, an archaeal MarR member characterized from the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus regulates its own expression and that of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene by binding to sequences in their promoters and responding to benzaldehyde as the effector molecule. In this study we assessed the thermodynamic stability of the protein BldR and its binding with benzaldehyde through biophysical measurements. The temperature- and denaturant-induced unfolding experiments, performed by means of circular dichroism (CD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), showed that BldR has an extremely high thermal stability (Td=108.9°C) and a remarkable resistance against GuHCl (Cm=5.3M at 25°C). The unfolding Gibbs energy, ΔdG (H2O), calculated by the linear extrapolation model from GuHCl-induced unfolding equilibrium curve, is 72.2kJmol(-1). ITC binding experiments showed that four benzaldehyde molecules bind to one BldR dimer with a binding constant Kb of 7.5·10(5)M(-1), being the binding entropically driven. ITC, CD and fluorescence results are consistent with a conformational change induced by benzaldehyde binding, further proving that this molecule is a specific effector for BldR modulating its DNA binding activity.

Exploration of Natural Biomass Utilization Systems (NBUS) for advanced biofuel--from systems biology to synthetic design

Efficient degradation and utilization of lignocellulosic biomass remains a challenge for sustainable and affordable biofuels. Various natural biomass utilization systems (NBUS) evolved the capacity to combat the recalcitrance of plant cell walls. The study of these NBUS could enable the development of efficient and cost-effective biocatalysts, microorganisms, and bioprocesses for biofuels and bioproducts. Here, we reviewed the recent research progresses for several NBUS, ranging from single cell microorganisms to consortiums such as cattle rumen and insect guts. These studies aided the discovery of biomass-degrading enzymes and the elucidation of the evolutionary and functional relevance in these systems. In particular, advances in the next generation 'omics' technologies offered new opportunities to explore NBUS in a high-throughput manner. Systems biology helped to facilitate the rapid biocatalyst discovery and detailed mechanism analysis, which could in turn guide the reverse design of engineered microorganisms and bioprocesses for cost-effective and efficient biomass conversion.

Structural mechanism of transcription regulation of the Staphylococcus aureus multidrug efflux operon mepRA by the MarR family repressor MepR

The multidrug efflux pump MepA is a major contributor to multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. MepR, a member of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family, represses mepA and its own gene. Here, we report the structure of a MepR–mepR operator complex. Structural comparison of DNA-bound MepR with ‘induced’ apoMepR reveals the large conformational changes needed to allow the DNA-binding winged helix-turn-helix motifs to interact with the consecutive major and minor grooves of the GTTAG signature sequence. Intriguingly, MepR makes no hydrogen bonds to major groove nucleobases. Rather, recognition-helix residues Thr60, Gly61, Pro62 and Thr63 make sequence-specifying van der Waals contacts with the TTAG bases. Removing these contacts dramatically affects MepR–DNA binding activity. The wings insert into the flanking minor grooves, whereby residue Arg87, buttressed by Asp85, interacts with the O2 of T₄ and O4′ ribosyl oxygens of A₂₃ and T₄. Mutating Asp85 and Arg87, both conserved throughout the MarR family, markedly affects MepR repressor activity. The His14′:Arg59 and Arg10′:His35:Phe108 interaction networks stabilize the DNA-binding conformation of MepR thereby contributing significantly to its high affinity binding. A structure-guided model of the MepR–mepA operator complex suggests that MepR dimers do not interact directly and cooperative binding is likely achieved by DNA-mediated allosteric effects.

The molecular mechanisms of allosteric mutations impairing MepR repressor function in multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Overexpression of the Staphylococcus aureus multidrug efflux pump MepA confers resistance to a wide variety of antimicrobials. mepA expression is controlled by MarR family member MepR, which represses mepA and autorepresses its own production. Mutations in mepR are a primary cause of mepA overexpression in clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant S. aureus. Here, we report crystal structures of three multidrug-resistant MepR variants, which contain the single-amino-acid substitution A103V, F27L, or Q18P, and wild-type MepR in its DNA-bound conformation. Although each mutation impairs MepR function by decreasing its DNA binding affinity, none is located in the DNA binding domain. Rather, all are found in the linker region connecting the dimerization and DNA binding domains. Specifically, the A103V substitution impinges on F27, which resolves potential steric clashes via displacement of the DNA binding winged-helix-turn-helix motifs that lead to a 27-fold reduction in DNA binding affinity. The F27L substitution forces F104 into an alternative rotamer, which kinks helix 5, thereby interfering with the positioning of the DNA binding domains and decreasing mepR operator affinity by 35-fold. The Q18P mutation affects the MepR structure and function most significantly by either creating kinks in the middle of helix 1 or completely unfolding its C terminus. In addition, helix 5 of Q18P is either bent or completely dissected into two smaller helices. Consequently, DNA binding is diminished by 2,000-fold. Our structural studies reveal heretofore-unobserved allosteric mechanisms that affect repressor function of a MarR family member and result in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major health threat to immunocompromised patients. S. aureus multidrug-resistant variants that overexpress the multidrug efflux pump mepA emerge frequently due to point mutations in MarR family member MepR, the mepA transcription repressor. Significantly, the majority of MepR mutations identified in these S. aureus clinical isolates are found not in the DNA binding domain but rather in a linker region, connecting the dimerization and DNA binding domains. The location of these mutants underscores the critical importance of a properly functioning allosteric mechanism that regulates MepR function. Understanding the dysregulation of such allosteric MepR mutants underlies this study. The high-resolution structures of three such allosteric MepR mutants reveal unpredictable conformational consequences, all of which preclude cognate DNA binding, while biochemical studies emphasize their debilitating effects on DNA binding affinity. Hence, mutations in the linker region of MepR and their structural consequences are key generators of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.