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Martin Del Campo JS, Rigsbee J, Bueno Batista M, Mus F, Rubio LM, Einsle O, Peters JW, Dixon R, Dean DR, Dos Santos PC. Overview of physiological, biochemical, and regulatory aspects of nitrogen fixation in Azotobacter vinelandii. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 57:492-538. [PMID: 36877487 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2023.2181309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how Nature accomplishes the reduction of inert nitrogen gas to form metabolically tractable ammonia at ambient temperature and pressure has challenged scientists for more than a century. Such an understanding is a key aspect toward accomplishing the transfer of the genetic determinants of biological nitrogen fixation to crop plants as well as for the development of improved synthetic catalysts based on the biological mechanism. Over the past 30 years, the free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii emerged as a preferred model organism for mechanistic, structural, genetic, and physiological studies aimed at understanding biological nitrogen fixation. This review provides a contemporary overview of these studies and places them within the context of their historical development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jack Rigsbee
- Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Florence Mus
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Luis M Rubio
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Ray Dixon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Dennis R Dean
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Demtröder L, Pfänder Y, Masepohl B. Rhodobacter capsulatus AnfA is essential for production of Fe-nitrogenase proteins but dispensable for cofactor biosynthesis and electron supply. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:1234-1246. [PMID: 32207246 PMCID: PMC7294313 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The photosynthetic α‐proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus reduces and thereby fixes atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) by a molybdenum (Mo)‐nitrogenase and an iron‐only (Fe)‐nitrogenase. Differential expression of the structural genes of Mo‐nitrogenase (nifHDK) and Fe‐nitrogenase (anfHDGK) is strictly controlled and activated by NifA and AnfA, respectively. In contrast to NifA‐binding sites, AnfA‐binding sites are poorly defined. Here, we identified two highly similar AnfA‐binding sites in the R. capsulatus anfH promoter by studying the effects of promoter mutations on in vivo anfH expression and in vitro promoter binding by AnfA. Comparison of the experimentally determined R. capsulatus AnfA‐binding sites and presumed AnfA‐binding sites from other α‐proteobacteria revealed a consensus sequence of dyad symmetry, TAC–N6–GTA, suggesting that AnfA proteins bind their target promoters as dimers. Chromosomal replacement of the anfH promoter by the nifH promoter restored anfHDGK expression and Fe‐nitrogenase activity in an R. capsulatus strain lacking AnfA suggesting that AnfA is required for AnfHDGK production, but dispensable for biosynthesis of the iron‐only cofactor and electron delivery to Fe‐nitrogenase, pathways activated by NifA. These observations strengthen our model, in which the Fe‐nitrogenase system in R. capsulatus is largely integrated into the Mo‐nitrogenase system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Demtröder
- Microbial Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Yvonne Pfänder
- Microbial Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Bernd Masepohl
- Microbial Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Miura Y, Yoshimitsu K, Takatani N, Watanabe Y, Nakajima H. Effect of nitric oxide on VnfA, a transcriptional activator of VFe-nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii. J Biochem 2014; 157:365-75. [PMID: 25500211 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvu083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional activator, VnfA, is necessary for the expression of the structural genes encoding vanadium-dependent nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii. We have previously reported that VnfA harbours a Fe-S cluster as a prosthetic group, presumably a 3Fe-4S type, which is vital for the transcriptionally active VnfA. A plausible effector molecule is a reactive oxygen species (ROS), which disassembles the Fe-S cluster switching the active VnfA to become fully inactive. This finding prompted us to investigate the effect of nitric oxide (NO), another physiologically important radical species on the VnfA activity. Unlike ROS, the VnfA activity was moderately inhibited and converged to 70% of the maximum by NO irrespective of its concentration. The Fe-S cluster of VnfA was found to react with NO to form a dinitrosyl-iron complex, either in the dimeric or monomeric form, dependent on the relative stoichiometry of NO to the Fe-S cluster. The VnfA species harbouring the dinitrosyl-iron complexes in each form exhibited 50% ATPase activity compared to the active VnfA. The findings of this study would open an argument about a biological effect of NO on nitrogenase in light of its transcriptional regulatory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Miura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Kyohei Yoshimitsu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takatani
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Watanabe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nakajima
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science; and Research Center of Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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Thiel T, Pratte BS. Regulation of Three Nitrogenase Gene Clusters in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413. Life (Basel) 2014; 4:944-67. [PMID: 25513762 PMCID: PMC4284476 DOI: 10.3390/life4040944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 fixes nitrogen under aerobic conditions in specialized cells called heterocysts that form in response to an environmental deficiency in combined nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is mediated by the enzyme nitrogenase, which is very sensitive to oxygen. Heterocysts are microxic cells that allow nitrogenase to function in a filament comprised primarily of vegetative cells that produce oxygen by photosynthesis. A. variabilis is unique among well-characterized cyanobacteria in that it has three nitrogenase gene clusters that encode different nitrogenases, which function under different environmental conditions. The nif1 genes encode a Mo-nitrogenase that functions only in heterocysts, even in filaments grown anaerobically. The nif2 genes encode a different Mo-nitrogenase that functions in vegetative cells, but only in filaments grown under anoxic conditions. An alternative V-nitrogenase is encoded by vnf genes that are expressed only in heterocysts in an environment that is deficient in Mo. Thus, these three nitrogenases are expressed differentially in response to environmental conditions. The entire nif1 gene cluster, comprising at least 15 genes, is primarily under the control of the promoter for the first gene, nifB1. Transcriptional control of many of the downstream nif1 genes occurs by a combination of weak promoters within the coding regions of some downstream genes and by RNA processing, which is associated with increased transcript stability. The vnf genes show a similar pattern of transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of expression suggesting that the complex pattern of regulation of the nif1 cluster is conserved in other cyanobacterial nitrogenase gene clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Thiel
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA.
| | - Brenda S Pratte
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA.
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Mettert EL, Kiley PJ. Fe-S proteins that regulate gene expression. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1853:1284-93. [PMID: 25450978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster containing proteins that regulate gene expression are present in most organisms. The innate chemistry of their Fe-S cofactors makes these regulatory proteins ideal for sensing environmental signals, such as gases (e.g. O2 and NO), levels of Fe and Fe-S clusters, reactive oxygen species, and redox cycling compounds, to subsequently mediate an adaptive response. Here we review the recent findings that have provided invaluable insight into the mechanism and function of these highly significant Fe-S regulatory proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Mettert
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, 440 Henry Mall, Biochemical Sciences Building, Room 4204C, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Patricia J Kiley
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, 440 Henry Mall, Biochemical Sciences Building, Room 4204C, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Pratte BS, Sheridan R, James JA, Thiel T. Regulation of V-nitrogenase genes inAnabaena variabilisby RNA processing and by dual repressors. Mol Microbiol 2013; 88:413-24. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda S. Pratte
- University of Missouri - St. Louis; Dept. of Biology; Research 223; St. Louis; MO; 63121; USA
| | - Ryan Sheridan
- University of Missouri - St. Louis; Dept. of Biology; Research 223; St. Louis; MO; 63121; USA
| | - Jessie A. James
- University of Missouri - St. Louis; Dept. of Biology; Research 223; St. Louis; MO; 63121; USA
| | - Teresa Thiel
- University of Missouri - St. Louis; Dept. of Biology; Research 223; St. Louis; MO; 63121; USA
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Aono S. The Dos family of globin-related sensors using PAS domains to accommodate haem acting as the active site for sensing external signals. Adv Microb Physiol 2013; 63:273-327. [PMID: 24054799 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407693-8.00007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Sensor proteins play crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis of cells by sensing changes in extra- and intracellular chemical and physical conditions to trigger biological responses. It has recently become clear that gas molecules function as signalling molecules in these biological regulatory systems responsible for transcription, chemotaxis, synthesis/hydrolysis of nucleotide second messengers, and other complex physiological processes. Haem-containing sensor proteins are widely used to sense gas molecules because haem can bind gas molecules reversibly. Ligand binding to the haem in the sensor proteins triggers conformational changes around the haem, which results in their functional regulation. Spectroscopic and crystallographic studies are essential to understand how these sensor proteins function in these biological regulatory systems. In this chapter, I discuss structural and functional relationships of haem-containing PAS and PAS-related families of the sensor proteins.
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Hall JW, Ji Y. Sensing and Adapting to Anaerobic Conditions by Staphylococcus aureus. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2013; 84:1-25. [PMID: 23763757 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407673-0.00001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A highly adaptive commensal organism, Staphylococcus aureus, possesses an array of genes that allow the bacterium to survive and grow in a wide variety of niches. Several of these niches are known to be or become anaerobic during the course of an infection; additionally, biofilms that develop, commonly on implanted medical devices, become anaerobic. The metabolic capability of S. aureus provides the organism with the essential nutrients needed to continue to grow, divide, and thwart the host immune system in the presence or absence of oxygen. In order to utilize the ATP-producing pathways and maintain cellular health S. aureus has evolved a series of regulatory systems that regulate these ATP-producing pathways. In this review, we discuss the protein signaling systems that sense, indirectly and directly, anaerobic conditions, their sensory mechanisms and signals, and outline the genes that are altered due to the absence of oxygen and the subsequent response by the bacterial cell. The switch from aerobic to anaerobic growth in S. aureus is complex and highly regulated, with some metabolic pathways regulated by multiple regulatory systems to ensure maximal utilization of each pathway and substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Hall
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Aono S. Novel bacterial gas sensor proteins with transition metal-containing prosthetic groups as active sites. Antioxid Redox Signal 2012; 16:678-86. [PMID: 21902455 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Gas molecules function as signaling molecules in many biological regulatory systems responsible for transcription, chemotaxis, and other complex physiological processes. Gas sensor proteins play a crucial role in regulating such biological systems in response to gas molecules. RECENT ADVANCES New sensor proteins that sense oxygen or nitric oxide have recently been found, and they have been characterized by X-ray crystallographic and/or spectroscopic analysis. It has become clear that the interaction between a prosthetic group and gas molecules triggers dynamic structural changes in the protein backbone when a gas sensor protein senses gas molecules. Gas sensor proteins employ novel mechanisms to trigger conformational changes in the presence of a gas. CRITICAL ISSUES In gas sensor proteins that have iron-sulfur clusters as active sites, the iron-sulfur clusters undergo structural changes, which trigger a conformational change. Heme-based gas sensor proteins reconstruct hydrogen-bonding networks around the heme and heme-bound ligand. FUTURE DIRECTION Gas sensor proteins have two functional states, on and off, which are active and inactive, respectively, for subsequent signal transduction in response to their physiological effector molecules. To fully understand the structure-function relationships of gas sensor proteins, it is vital to perform X-ray crystal structure analyses of full-length proteins in both the on and off states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigetoshi Aono
- Okazaki Institute of Natural Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan.
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Yoshimitsu K, Takatani N, Miura Y, Watanabe Y, Nakajima H. The role of the GAF and central domains of the transcriptional activator VnfA in Azotobacter vinelandii. FEBS J 2011; 278:3287-97. [PMID: 21752196 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08245.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
VnfA is a transcriptional activator that is required for the expression of the structural genes encoding nitrogenase-2 in Azotobacter vinelandii. VnfA consists of three domains: an N-terminal regulatory domain termed GAF, including a Cys-rich motif; a central domain from the AAA+ family; and a C-terminal domain for DNA binding. Previously, we reported that transcriptionally active VnfA harboring an Fe-S cluster (presumably of the 3Fe-4S type) as a prosthetic group and the Cys-rich motif were possibly associated with coordination of the Fe-S cluster. In the present study, we have investigated the roles of the GAF and central domains in the regulatory function of VnfA using truncated variants: ΔN15(VnfA) and ΔGAF(VnfA) that lack the N-terminal 15 residues and whole GAF domain, respectively, and GAF(VnfA) consisting of only the GAF domain. ΔN15(VnfA) and ΔGAF(VnfA) lost the ability to bind the Fe-S cluster, whereas GAF(VnfA) was still able to bind to the cluster, consistent with the hypothesis that the Cys-rich motif is essential for Fe-S cluster binding. The GAF domain showed an inhibitory effect on the transcriptional activity of VnfA, which was reversed in the presence of the Fe-S cluster, and reactivated upon disassembly of the cluster. The inhibitory activity of the GAF domain acts on the NTPase activity of the central domain, whereas the binding ability of VnfA to DNA was not significantly affected, when VnfA retains its tetrameric conformation. The results imply that a major pathway, by which VnfA function is regulated, operates via the control of NTPase activity by the GAF domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Yoshimitsu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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Francke C, Groot Kormelink T, Hagemeijer Y, Overmars L, Sluijter V, Moezelaar R, Siezen RJ. Comparative analyses imply that the enigmatic Sigma factor 54 is a central controller of the bacterial exterior. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:385. [PMID: 21806785 PMCID: PMC3162934 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sigma-54 is a central regulator in many pathogenic bacteria and has been linked to a multitude of cellular processes like nitrogen assimilation and important functional traits such as motility, virulence, and biofilm formation. Until now it has remained obscure whether these phenomena and the control by Sigma-54 share an underlying theme. Results We have uncovered the commonality by performing a range of comparative genome analyses. A) The presence of Sigma-54 and its associated activators was determined for all sequenced prokaryotes. We observed a phylum-dependent distribution that is suggestive of an evolutionary relationship between Sigma-54 and lipopolysaccharide and flagellar biosynthesis. B) All Sigma-54 activators were identified and annotated. The relation with phosphotransfer-mediated signaling (TCS and PTS) and the transport and assimilation of carboxylates and nitrogen containing metabolites was substantiated. C) The function annotations, that were represented within the genomic context of all genes encoding Sigma-54, its activators and its promoters, were analyzed for intra-phylum representation and inter-phylum conservation. Promoters were localized using a straightforward scoring strategy that was formulated to identify similar motifs. We found clear highly-represented and conserved genetic associations with genes that concern the transport and biosynthesis of the metabolic intermediates of exopolysaccharides, flagella, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, lipoproteins and peptidoglycan. Conclusion Our analyses directly implicate Sigma-54 as a central player in the control over the processes that involve the physical interaction of an organism with its environment like in the colonization of a host (virulence) or the formation of biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Francke
- TI Food and Nutrition, P,O,Box 557, 6700AN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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