1
|
Interactions between DksA and Stress-Responsive Alternative Sigma Factors Control Inorganic Polyphosphate Accumulation in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00133-20. [PMID: 32341074 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00133-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria synthesize inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) in response to a variety of different stress conditions. polyP protects bacteria by acting as a protein-stabilizing chaperone, metal chelator, or regulator of protein function, among other mechanisms. However, little is known about how stress signals are transmitted in the cell to lead to increased polyP accumulation. Previous work in the model enterobacterium Escherichia coli has indicated that the RNA polymerase-binding regulatory protein DksA is required for polyP synthesis in response to nutrient limitation stress. In this work, I set out to characterize the role of DksA in polyP regulation in more detail. I found that overexpression of DksA increases cellular polyP content (explaining the long-mysterious phenotype of dksA overexpression rescuing growth of a dnaK mutant at high temperatures) and characterized the roles of known functional residues of DksA in this process, finding that binding to RNA polymerase is required but that none of the other functions of DksA appear to be necessary. Transcriptomics revealed genome-wide transcriptional changes upon nutrient limitation, many of which were affected by DksA, and follow-up experiments identified complex interactions between DksA and the stress-sensing alternative sigma factors FliA, RpoN, and RpoE that impact polyP production, indicating that regulation of polyP synthesis is deeply entwined in the multifactorial stress response network of E. coli IMPORTANCE Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is an evolutionarily ancient, widely conserved biopolymer required for stress resistance and pathogenesis in diverse bacteria, but we do not understand how its synthesis is regulated. In this work, I gained new insights into this process by characterizing the role of the transcriptional regulator DksA in polyP regulation in Escherichia coli and identifying previously unknown links between polyP synthesis and the stress-responsive alternative sigma factors FliA, RpoN, and RpoE.
Collapse
|
2
|
Selection of Escherichia coli heat shock promoters toward their application as stress probes. J Biotechnol 2014; 188:61-71. [PMID: 25128614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of heat shock response of Escherichia coli can be explored to program novel biological functions. In this study, the strongest heat shock promoters were identified by microarray experiments conducted at different temperatures (37°C and 45°C, 5min). The promoters of the genes ibpA, dnaK and fxsA were selected and validated by RT-qPCR. These promoters were used to construct and characterize stress probes using green fluorescence protein (GFP). Cellular stress levels were evaluated in experiments conducted at different shock temperatures during several exposure times. It was concluded that the strength of the promoter is not the only relevant factor in the construction of an efficient stress probe. Furthermore, it was found to be crucial to test and optimize the ribosome binding site (RBS) in order to obtain translational efficiency that balances the transcription levels previously verified by microarrays and RT-qPCR. These heat shock promoters can be used to trigger in situ gene expression of newly constructed biosynthetic pathways.
Collapse
|
3
|
Samuels DJ, Frye JG, Porwollik S, McClelland M, Mrázek J, Hoover TR, Karls AC. Use of a promiscuous, constitutively-active bacterial enhancer-binding protein to define the σ⁵⁴ (RpoN) regulon of Salmonella Typhimurium LT2. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:602. [PMID: 24007446 PMCID: PMC3844500 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sigma54, or RpoN, is an alternative σ factor found widely in eubacteria. A significant complication in analysis of the global σ54 regulon in a bacterium is that the σ54 RNA polymerase holoenzyme requires interaction with an active bacterial enhancer-binding protein (bEBP) to initiate transcription at a σ54-dependent promoter. Many bacteria possess multiple bEBPs, which are activated by diverse environmental stimuli. In this work, we assess the ability of a promiscuous, constitutively-active bEBP—the AAA+ ATPase domain of DctD from Sinorhizobium meliloti—to activate transcription from all σ54-dependent promoters for the characterization of the σ54 regulon of Salmonella Typhimurium LT2. Results The AAA+ ATPase domain of DctD was able to drive transcription from nearly all previously characterized or predicted σ54-dependent promoters in Salmonella under a single condition. These promoters are controlled by a variety of native activators and, under the condition tested, are not transcribed in the absence of the DctD AAA+ ATPase domain. We also identified a novel σ54-dependent promoter upstream of STM2939, a homolog of the cas1 component of a CRISPR system. ChIP-chip analysis revealed at least 70 σ54 binding sites in the chromosome, of which 58% are located within coding sequences. Promoter-lacZ fusions with selected intragenic σ54 binding sites suggest that many of these sites are capable of functioning as σ54-dependent promoters. Conclusion Since the DctD AAA+ ATPase domain proved effective in activating transcription from the diverse σ54-dependent promoters of the S. Typhimurium LT2 σ54 regulon under a single growth condition, this approach is likely to be valuable for examining σ54 regulons in other bacterial species. The S. Typhimurium σ54 regulon included a high number of intragenic σ54 binding sites/promoters, suggesting that σ54 may have multiple regulatory roles beyond the initiation of transcription at the start of an operon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Samuels
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, GA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stevens DC, Conway KR, Pearce N, Villegas-Peñaranda LR, Garza AG, Boddy CN. Alternative sigma factor over-expression enables heterologous expression of a type II polyketide biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64858. [PMID: 23724102 PMCID: PMC3665592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heterologous expression of bacterial biosynthetic gene clusters is currently an indispensable tool for characterizing biosynthetic pathways. Development of an effective, general heterologous expression system that can be applied to bioprospecting from metagenomic DNA will enable the discovery of a wealth of new natural products. Methodology We have developed a new Escherichia coli-based heterologous expression system for polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters. We have demonstrated the over-expression of the alternative sigma factor σ54 directly and positively regulates heterologous expression of the oxytetracycline biosynthetic gene cluster in E. coli. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that σ54 promoters are present in nearly 70% of polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide biosynthetic pathways. Conclusions We have demonstrated a new mechanism for heterologous expression of the oxytetracycline polyketide biosynthetic pathway, where high-level pleiotropic sigma factors from the heterologous host directly and positively regulate transcription of the non-native biosynthetic gene cluster. Our bioinformatics analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that heterologous expression mediated by the alternative sigma factor σ54 may be a viable method for the production of additional polyketide products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyle R. Conway
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nelson Pearce
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Anthony G. Garza
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Christopher N. Boddy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Panyukov VV, Ozoline ON. Promoters of Escherichia coli versus promoter islands: function and structure comparison. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62601. [PMID: 23717391 PMCID: PMC3661553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of bacterial genes takes place under the control of RNA polymerase with exchangeable σ-subunits and multiple transcription factors. A typical promoter region contains one or several overlapping promoters. In the latter case promoters have the same or different σ-specificity and are often subjected to different regulatory stimuli. Genes, transcribed from multiple promoters, have on average higher expression levels. However, recently in the genome of Escherichia coli we found 78 regions with an extremely large number of potential transcription start points (promoter islands, PIs). It was shown that all PIs interact with RNA polymerase in vivo and are able to form transcriptionally competent open complexes both in vitro and in vivo but their transcriptional activity measured by oligonucleotide microarrays was very low, if any. Here we confirmed transcriptional defectiveness of PIs by analyzing the 5'-end specific RNA-seq data, but showed their ability to produce short oligos (9-14 bases). This combination of functional properties indicated a deliberate suppression of transcriptional activity within PIs. According to our data this suppression may be due to a specific conformation of the DNA double helix, which provides an ideal platform for interaction with both RNA polymerase and the histone-like nucleoid protein H-NS. The genomic DNA of E.coli contains therefore several dozen sites optimized by evolution for staying in a heterochromatin-like state. Since almost all promoter islands are associated with horizontally acquired genes, we offer them as specific components of bacterial evolution involved in acquisition of foreign genetic material by turning off the expression of toxic or useless aliens or by providing optimal promoter for beneficial genes. The putative molecular mechanism underlying the appearance of promoter islands within recipient genomes is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy V. Panyukov
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Olga N. Ozoline
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
- Department of Cell Biology, Pushchino State Institute of Natural Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dong T, Yu R, Schellhorn H. Antagonistic regulation of motility and transcriptome expression by RpoN and RpoS in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2010; 79:375-86. [PMID: 21219458 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07449.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria generally possess multiple σ factors that, based on structural and functional similarity, divide into two families: σ(70) and σ(N) . Many studies have revealed σ factor competition within the σ(70) family, while the competition between σ(N) and σ(70) families has yet to be fully explored. Here we report a global antagonistic effect on gene expression between two alternative σ factors, σ(N) (RpoN) and a σ(70) family protein σ(S) (RpoS). Mutations in rpoS and rpoN were found to inversely affect a number of cellular traits, such as the expression of flagellar genes, σ(N) -controlled growth on poor nitrogen sources, and σ(S) -directed expression of acid phosphatase AppA. Transcriptome analysis reveals that about 60% of genes in the RpoN regulon are under reciprocal RpoS control. Furthermore, loss of RpoN led to increased levels of RpoS, while RpoN levels were unaffected by the rpoS mutation. Expression of the flagellar σ(F) factor (FliA), another σ(70) family protein, is controlled positively by RpoN but negatively by RpoS. This positive control by RpoN is likely mediated through the flagellar regulator FlhDC, whose expression is RpoN-dependent. These findings unveil a complex regulatory interaction among σ(N) , σ(S) and σ(F) , which modulates motility, nitrogen utilization, stress response and many other cellular functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dong
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S4K1 Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
de Lucena DKC, Pühler A, Weidner S. The role of sigma factor RpoH1 in the pH stress response of Sinorhizobium meliloti. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:265. [PMID: 20955556 PMCID: PMC2976971 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental pH stress constitutes a limiting factor for S. meliloti survival and development. The response to acidic pH stress in S. meliloti is versatile and characterized by the differential expression of genes associated with various cellular functions. The purpose of this study was to gain detailed insight into the participation of sigma factors in the complex stress response system of S. meliloti 1021 using pH stress as an effector. Results In vitro assessment of S meliloti wild type and sigma factor mutants provided first evidence that the sigma factor RpoH1 plays a major role in the pH stress response. Differential expression of genes related to rhizobactin biosynthesis was observed in microarray analyses performed with the rpoH1 mutant at pH 7.0. The involvement of the sigma factor RpoH1 in the regulation of S. meliloti genes upon pH stress was analyzed by comparing time-course experiments of the wild type and the rpoH1 mutant. Three classes of S. meliloti genes could be identified, which were transcriptionally regulated in an RpoH1-independent, an RpoH1-dependent or in a complex manner. The first class of S. meliloti genes, regulated in an RpoH1-independent manner, comprises the group of the exopolysaccharide I biosynthesis genes and also the group of genes involved in motility and flagellar biosynthesis. The second class of S. meliloti genes, regulated in an RpoH1-dependent manner, is composed of genes known from heat shock studies, like ibpA, grpE and groEL5, as well as genes involved in translation like tufA and rplC. Finally, the third class of S. meliloti genes was regulated in a complex manner, which indicates that besides sigma factor RpoH1, further regulation takes place. This was found to be the case for the genes dctA, ndvA and smc01505. Conclusions Clustering of time-course microarray data of S. meliloti wild type and sigma factor rpoH1 mutant allowed for the identification of gene clusters, each with a unique time-dependent expression pattern, as well as for the classification of genes according to their dependence on RpoH1 expression and regulation. This study provided clear evidence that the sigma factor RpoH1 plays a major role in pH stress response.
Collapse
|
8
|
Nadratowska-Wesołowska B, Słomińska-Wojewódzka M, Łyzeń R, Wegrzyn A, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Wegrzyn G. Transcription regulation of the Escherichia coli pcnB gene coding for poly(A) polymerase I: roles of ppGpp, DksA and sigma factors. Mol Genet Genomics 2010; 284:289-305. [PMID: 20700605 PMCID: PMC2939334 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-010-0567-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Poly(A) polymerase I (PAP I), encoded by the pcnB gene, is a major enzyme responsible for RNA polyadenylation in Escherichia coli, a process involved in the global control of gene expression in this bacterium through influencing the rate of transcript degradation. Recent studies have suggested a complicated regulation of pcnB expression, including a complex promoter region, a control at the level of translation initiation and dependence on bacterial growth rate. In this report, studies on transcription regulation of the pcnB gene are described. Results of in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that (a) there are three σ70-dependent (p1, pB, and p2) and two σS-dependent (pS1 and pS2) promoters of the pcnB gene, (b) guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and DksA directly inhibit transcription from pB, pS1 and pS2, and (c) pB activity is drastically impaired at the stationary phase of growth. These results indicate that regulation of the pcnB gene transcription is a complex process, which involves several factors acting to ensure precise control of PAP I production. Moreover, inhibition of activities of pS1 and pS2 by ppGpp and DksA suggests that regulation of transcription from promoters requiring alternative σ factors by these effectors of the stringent response might occur according to both passive and active models.
Collapse
|
9
|
Martínez-Salazar JM, Sandoval-Calderón M, Guo X, Castillo-Ramírez S, Reyes A, Loza MG, Rivera J, Alvarado-Affantranger X, Sánchez F, González V, Dávila G, Ramírez-Romero MA. The Rhizobium etli RpoH1 and RpoH2 sigma factors are involved in different stress responses. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:386-397. [PMID: 19202087 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.021428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The physiological role and transcriptional expression of Rhizobium etli sigma factors rpoH1 and rpoH2 are reported in this work. Both rpoH1 and rpoH2 were able to complement the temperature-sensitive phenotype of an Escherichia coli rpoH mutant. The R. etli rpoH1 mutant was sensitive to heat shock, sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, whereas the rpoH2 mutant was sensitive to NaCl and sucrose. The rpoH2 rpoH1 double mutant had increased sensitivity to heat shock and oxidative stress when compared with the rpoH1 single mutant. This suggests that in R. etli, RpoH1 is the main heat-shock sigma factor, but a more complete protective response could be achieved with the participation of RpoH2. Conversely, RpoH2 is involved in osmotic tolerance. In symbiosis with bean plants, the R. etli rpoH1 and rpoH2 rpoH1 mutants still elicited nodule formation, but exhibited reduced nitrogenase activity and bacterial viability in early and late symbiosis compared with nodules produced by rpoH2 mutants and wild-type strains. In addition, nodules formed by R. etli rpoH1 and rpoH2 rpoH1 mutants showed premature senescence. It was also determined that fixNf and fixKf expression was affected in rpoH1 mutants. Both rpoH genes were induced under microaerobic conditions and in the stationary growth phase, but not in response to heat shock. Analysis of the upstream region of rpoH1 revealed a sigma70 and a probable sigmaE promoter, whereas in rpoH2, one probable sigmaE-dependent promoter was detected. In conclusion, the two RpoH proteins operate under different stress conditions, RpoH1 in heat-shock and oxidative responses, and RpoH2 in osmotic tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime M Martínez-Salazar
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Mario Sandoval-Calderón
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Xianwu Guo
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Santiago Castillo-Ramírez
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alma Reyes
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Maria G Loza
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Javier Rivera
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Xochitl Alvarado-Affantranger
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, CP 62271 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Federico Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, CP 62271 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Víctor González
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Guillermo Dávila
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Miguel A Ramírez-Romero
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 565-A, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Janaszak A, Nadratowska-WesoÅowska B, Konopa G, Taylor A. The P1 promoter of theEscherichia coli rpoHgene is utilized by Ï70-RNAP or ÏS-RNAP depending on growth phase. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2009; 291:65-72. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01436.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
|