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Moy BE, Seshu J. STAS Domain Only Proteins in Bacterial Gene Regulation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:679982. [PMID: 34235094 PMCID: PMC8256260 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.679982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfate Transport Anti-Sigma antagonist domains (Pfam01740) are found in all branches of life, from eubacteria to mammals, as a conserved fold encoded by highly divergent amino acid sequences. These domains are present as part of larger SLC26/SulP anion transporters, where the STAS domain is associated with transmembrane anchoring of the larger multidomain protein. Here, we focus on STAS Domain only Proteins (SDoPs) in eubacteria, initially described as part of the Bacillus subtilis Regulation of Sigma B (RSB) regulatory system. Since their description in B. subtilis, SDoPs have been described to be involved in the regulation of sigma factors, through partner-switching mechanisms in various bacteria such as: Mycobacterium. tuberculosis, Listeria. monocytogenes, Vibrio. fischeri, Bordetella bronchiseptica, among others. In addition to playing a canonical role in partner-switching with an anti-sigma factor to affect the availability of a sigma factor, several eubacterial SDoPs show additional regulatory roles compared to the original RSB system of B. subtilis. This is of great interest as these proteins are highly conserved, and often involved in altering gene expression in response to changes in environmental conditions. For many of the bacteria we will examine in this review, the ability to sense environmental changes and alter gene expression accordingly is critical for survival and colonization of susceptible hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Moy
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - J Seshu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Camargo S, Leshkowitz D, Dassa B, Mariscal V, Flores E, Stavans J, Arbel-Goren R. Impaired cell-cell communication in the multicellular cyanobacterium Anabaena affects carbon uptake, photosynthesis, and the cell wall. iScience 2021; 24:101977. [PMID: 33458622 PMCID: PMC7797909 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is an essential attribute of multicellular organisms. The effects of perturbed communication were studied in septal protein mutants of the heterocyst-forming filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 model organism. Strains bearing sepJ and sepJ/fraC/fraD deletions showed differences in growth, pigment absorption spectra, and spatial patterns of expression of the hetR gene encoding a heterocyst differentiation master regulator. Global changes in gene expression resulting from deletion of those genes were mapped by RNA sequencing analysis of wild-type and mutant strains, both under nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-poor conditions. The effects of sepJ and fraC/fraD deletions were non-additive, and perturbed cell-cell communication led to significant changes in global gene expression. Most significant effects, related to carbon metabolism, included increased expression of genes encoding carbon uptake systems and components of the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as decreased expression of genes encoding cell wall components related to heterocyst differentiation and to polysaccharide export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Camargo
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Dena Leshkowitz
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bareket Dassa
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vicente Mariscal
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Enrique Flores
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Joel Stavans
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Rinat Arbel-Goren
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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LytR-CpsA-Psr Glycopolymer Transferases: Essential Bricks in Gram-Positive Bacterial Cell Wall Assembly. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020908. [PMID: 33477538 PMCID: PMC7831098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria contain a variety of glycopolymers (CWGPs), a significant proportion of which are covalently linked to the peptidoglycan (PGN) scaffolding structure. Prominent CWGPs include wall teichoic acids of Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcal capsules, mycobacterial arabinogalactan, and rhamnose-containing polysaccharides of lactic acid bacteria. CWGPs serve important roles in bacterial cellular functions, morphology, and virulence. Despite evident differences in composition, structure and underlaying biosynthesis pathways, the final ligation step of CWGPs to the PGN backbone involves a conserved class of enzymes-the LytR-CpsA-Psr (LCP) transferases. Typically, the enzymes are present in multiple copies displaying partly functional redundancy and/or preference for a distinct CWGP type. LCP enzymes require a lipid-phosphate-linked glycan precursor substrate and catalyse, with a certain degree of promiscuity, CWGP transfer to PGN of different maturation stages, according to in vitro evidence. The prototype attachment mode is that to the C6-OH of N-acetylmuramic acid residues via installation of a phosphodiester bond. In some cases, attachment proceeds to N-acetylglucosamine residues of PGN-in the case of the Streptococcus agalactiae capsule, even without involvement of a phosphate bond. A novel aspect of LCP enzymes concerns a predicted role in protein glycosylation in Actinomyces oris. Available crystal structures provide further insight into the catalytic mechanism of this biologically important class of enzymes, which are gaining attention as new targets for antibacterial drug discovery to counteract the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.
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Walter J, Leganés F, Aro EM, Gollan PJ. The small Ca 2+-binding protein CSE links Ca 2+ signalling with nitrogen metabolism and filament integrity in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:57. [PMID: 32160863 PMCID: PMC7065334 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01735-5] [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: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Filamentous cyanobacteria represent model organisms for investigating multicellularity. For many species, nitrogen-fixing heterocysts are formed from photosynthetic vegetative cells under nitrogen limitation. Intracellular Ca2+ has been implicated in the highly regulated process of heterocyst differentiation but its role remains unclear. Ca2+ is known to operate more broadly in metabolic signalling in cyanobacteria, although the signalling mechanisms are virtually unknown. A Ca2+-binding protein called the Ca2+ Sensor EF-hand (CSE) is found almost exclusively in filamentous cyanobacteria. Expression of asr1131 encoding the CSE protein in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 was strongly induced by low CO2 conditions, and rapidly downregulated during nitrogen step-down. A previous study suggests a role for CSE and Ca2+ in regulation of photosynthetic activity in response to changes in carbon and nitrogen availability. Results In the current study, a mutant Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 strain lacking asr1131 (Δcse) was highly prone to filament fragmentation, leading to a striking phenotype of very short filaments and poor growth under nitrogen-depleted conditions. Transcriptomics analysis under nitrogen-replete conditions revealed that genes involved in heterocyst differentiation and function were downregulated in Δcse, while heterocyst inhibitors were upregulated, compared to the wild-type. Conclusions These results indicate that CSE is required for filament integrity and for proper differentiation and function of heterocysts upon changes in the cellular carbon/nitrogen balance. A role for CSE in transmitting Ca2+ signals during the first response to changes in metabolic homeostasis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Walter
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Plant Biology, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6A, 6. krs, 20520, Turku, Finland.,Present address: Department of Plant Sciences, Environmental Plant Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Francisco Leganés
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Calle Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva-Mari Aro
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Plant Biology, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6A, 6. krs, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Peter J Gollan
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Plant Biology, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6A, 6. krs, 20520, Turku, Finland.
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Herrero A, Flores E. Genetic responses to carbon and nitrogen availability in Anabaena. Environ Microbiol 2018; 21:1-17. [PMID: 30066380 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria are filamentous organisms that perform oxygenic photosynthesis and CO2 fixation in vegetative cells and nitrogen fixation in heterocysts, which are formed under deprivation of combined nitrogen. These organisms can acclimate to use different sources of nitrogen and respond to different levels of CO2 . Following work mainly done with the best studied heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium, Anabaena, here we summarize the mechanisms of assimilation of ammonium, nitrate, urea and N2 , the latter involving heterocyst differentiation, and describe aspects of CO2 assimilation that involves a carbon concentration mechanism. These processes are subjected to regulation establishing a hierarchy in the assimilation of nitrogen sources -with preference for the most reduced nitrogen forms- and a dependence on sufficient carbon. This regulation largely takes place at the level of gene expression and is exerted by a variety of transcription factors, including global and pathway-specific transcriptional regulators. NtcA is a CRP-family protein that adjusts global gene expression in response to the C-to-N balance in the cells, and PacR is a LysR-family transcriptional regulator (LTTR) that extensively acclimates the cells to oxygenic phototrophy. A cyanobacterial-specific transcription factor, HetR, is involved in heterocyst differentiation, and other LTTR factors are specifically involved in nitrate and CO2 assimilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Herrero
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, E-41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Enrique Flores
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, E-41092, Seville, Spain
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Functional Overlap of hetP and hetZ in Regulation of Heterocyst Differentiation in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00707-17. [PMID: 29440250 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00707-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HetR plays a key role in regulation of heterocyst differentiation and patterning in Anabaena It directly regulates genes involved in heterocyst differentiation (such as hetP and hetZ), genes involved in pattern formation (patA), and many others. In this study, we investigated the functional relationship of hetP and hetZ and their role in HetR-dependent cell differentiation. Coexpression of hetP and hetZ from the promoter of ntcA, which encodes the global nitrogen regulator, enabled a hetR mutant to form heterocysts with low aerobic nitrogenase activity. Overexpression of hetZ restored heterocyst differentiation in a hetP mutant and vice versa. Overexpression of hetR restored heterocyst formation in either a hetP or a hetZ mutant but not in a hetZ hetP double mutant. The functional overlap of hetP and hetZ was further confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and transcriptomic analyses of their effects on gene expression. In addition, yeast two-hybrid and pulldown assays showed the interaction of HetZ with HetR. HetP and HetZ are proposed as the two major factors that control heterocyst formation in response to upregulation of hetRIMPORTANCE Heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria contribute significantly to N2 fixation in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Formation of heterocysts enables this group of cyanobacteria to fix N2 efficiently under aerobic conditions. HetR, HetP, and HetZ are among the most important factors involved in heterocyst differentiation. We present evidence for the functional overlap of hetP and hetZ and for the key role of the HetR-HetP/HetZ circuit in regulation of heterocyst differentiation. The regulatory mechanism based on HetR, HetP, and HetZ is probably conserved in all heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria.
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Xu X, Huang L, Su Y, Yan Q. The complete genome sequence of Vibrio aestuarianus W-40 reveals virulence factor genes. Microbiologyopen 2018; 7:e00568. [PMID: 29314726 PMCID: PMC6011983 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio aestuarianus is an opportunistic environmental pathogen that has been associated with epidemics in cultured shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Hepatopancreas microsporidian (HPM) and monodon slow growth syndrome (MSGS) have been reported in cultured P. vannamei. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the whole genome of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40, a strain that was originally isolated from the intestines of an infected P. vannamei. The genome of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40 contains two circular chromosomes of 483,7307 bp with a 46.23% GC content. We identified 4,457 open reading frames (ORFs) that occupy 86.35% of the genome. Vibrio aestuarianus strain W‐40 consists primarily of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter system and the phosphotransferase system (PTS). CagA is a metabolism system that includes bacterial extracellular solute‐binding protein. Glutathione reductase can purge superoxide radicals (O22−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) damage in V. aestuarianus strain W‐40. The presence of two compete type I restriction‐modification systems was confirmed. A total of 42 insertion sequences (IS) elements and 16 IS elements were identified. Our results revealed a host of virulence factors that likely contribute to the pathogenicity of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40, including the virulence factor genes vacA, clpC, and bvgA, which are important for biofilm dispersion. Several bacitracin and tetracycline antibiotic resistance‐encoding genes and type VI secretion systems were also identified in the genome. The complete genome sequence will aid future studies of the pathogenesis of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40 and allow for new strategies to control disease to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojin Xu
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.,State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Lixing Huang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yongquan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, Fujian, China.,College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qingpi Yan
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.,State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, Fujian, China
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Wang XP, Jiang YL, Dai YN, Cheng W, Chen Y, Zhou CZ. Structural and enzymatic analyses of a glucosyltransferase Alr3699/HepE involved in Anabaena heterocyst envelop polysaccharide biosynthesis. Glycobiology 2015; 26:520-31. [PMID: 26692049 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwv167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Formation of the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide (HEP) is a key process for cyanobacterial heterocyst differentiation. The maturation of HEP in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 is controlled by a gene cluster termed HEP island in addition to an operon alr3698-alr3699, which encodes two putative proteins termed Alr3698/HepD and Alr3699/HepE. Here we report the crystal structures of HepE in the apo-form and three complex forms that bind to UDP-glucose (UDPG), UDP&glucose, and UDP, respectively. The overall structure of HepE displays a typical GT-B fold of glycosyltransferases, comprising two separate β/α/β Rossmann-fold domains that form an inter-domain substrate-binding crevice. Structural analyses combined with enzymatic assays indicate that HepE is a glucosyltransferase using UDPG as a sugar donor. Further site-directed mutageneses enable us to assign the key residues that stabilize the sugar donor and putative acceptor. Based on the comparative structural analyses, we propose a putative catalytic cycle of HepE, which undergoes "open-closed-open" conformational changes upon binding to the substrates and release of products. These findings provide structural and catalytic insights into the first enzyme involved in the HEP biosynthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ping Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Liang Jiang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Nan Dai
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Cheng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxing Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong-Zhao Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People's Republic of China
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Shrivastava AK, Chatterjee A, Yadav S, Singh PK, Singh S, Rai LC. UV-B stress induced metabolic rearrangements explored with comparative proteomics in three Anabaena species. J Proteomics 2015; 127:122-33. [PMID: 25997677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Comparative proteomics together with physiological variables revealed different responses among three species of diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena exposed to UV-B stress at the same time points. Perceptible decline in PSII activity, ATP pool, nitrogenase activity and respiration rate was observed for all the three species; this being maximum in Anabaena doliolum, followed by Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and minimum in Anabaena L31. Statistical analysis of the protein abundance divided majority of them as early accumulated in A. L31, late accumulated in A. sp. PCC 7120 and downregulated in A. doliolum. Tolerance of A. L31 may be ascribed to post-translational modification reflected through the highest number of protein isoforms in its proteome followed by A. PCC 7120 and A. doliolum. Furthermore, increase in abundance of cyanophycinase, glutamine synthetase and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase in A. L31 suggests operation of an alternate pathway for assimilation of nitrogen and carbon under UV-B stress. An early accumulation of four proteins viz., glutamate ammonia ligase (Alr2328), transketolase (Alr3344), inorganic pyrophosphatase (All3570), and trigger protein (Alr3681) involved respectively in amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, biosynthesis of cofactor and trigger protein and chaperone like activity across three species, suggests them to be marker of UV-B stress in Anabaena spp. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Kumar Shrivastava
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Antra Chatterjee
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Shivam Yadav
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Shilpi Singh
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - L C Rai
- Molecular Biology Section, Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India..
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Simm S, Keller M, Selymesi M, Schleiff E. The composition of the global and feature specific cyanobacterial core-genomes. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:219. [PMID: 25852675 PMCID: PMC4365693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes important for many ecosystems with a high potential for biotechnological usage e.g., in the production of bioactive molecules. Either asks for a deep understanding of the functionality of cyanobacteria and their interaction with the environment. This in part can be inferred from the analysis of their genomes or proteomes. Today, many cyanobacterial genomes have been sequenced and annotated. This information can be used to identify biological pathways present in all cyanobacteria as proteins involved in such processes are encoded by a so called core-genome. However, beside identification of fundamental processes, genes specific for certain cyanobacterial features can be identified by a holistic genome analysis as well. We identified 559 genes that define the core-genome of 58 analyzed cyanobacteria, as well as three genes likely to be signature genes for thermophilic and 57 genes likely to be signature genes for heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. To get insights into cyanobacterial systems for the interaction with the environment we also inspected the diversity of the outer membrane proteome with focus on β-barrel proteins. We observed that most of the transporting outer membrane β-barrel proteins are not globally conserved in the cyanobacterial phylum. In turn, the occurrence of β-barrel proteins shows high strain specificity. The core set of outer membrane proteins globally conserved in cyanobacteria comprises three proteins only, namely the outer membrane β-barrel assembly protein Omp85, the lipid A transfer protein LptD, and an OprB-type porin. Thus, we conclude that cyanobacteria have developed individual strategies for the interaction with the environment, while other intracellular processes like the regulation of the protein homeostasis are globally conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Simm
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mario Keller
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mario Selymesi
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Enrico Schleiff
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Center of Membrane Proteomics, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Buchmann Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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11
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Ehira S, Miyazaki S. Regulation of Genes Involved in Heterocyst Differentiation in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120 by a Group 2 Sigma Factor SigC. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:587-603. [PMID: 25692906 PMCID: PMC4390870 DOI: 10.3390/life5010587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 differentiates specialized cells for nitrogen fixation called heterocysts upon limitation of combined nitrogen in the medium. During heterocyst differentiation, expression of approximately 500 genes is upregulated with spatiotemporal regulation. In the present study, we investigated the functions of sigma factors of RNA polymerase in the regulation of heterocyst differentiation. The transcript levels of sigC, sigE, and sigG were increased during heterocyst differentiation, while expression of sigJ was downregulated. We carried out DNA microarray analysis to identify genes regulated by SigC, SigE, and SigG. It was indicated that SigC regulated the expression of genes involved in heterocyst differentiation and functions. Moreover, genes regulated by SigC partially overlapped with those regulated by SigE, and deficiency of SigC was likely to be compensated by SigE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Ehira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Shogo Miyazaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
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Sandh G, Ramström M, Stensjö K. Analysis of the early heterocyst Cys-proteome in the multicellular cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme reveals novel insights into the division of labor within diazotrophic filaments. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:1064. [PMID: 25476978 PMCID: PMC4363197 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133, removal of combined nitrogen induces the differentiation of heterocysts, a cell-type specialized in N2 fixation. The differentiation involves genomic, structural and metabolic adaptations. In cyanobacteria, changes in the availability of carbon and nitrogen have also been linked to redox regulated posttranslational modifications of protein bound thiol groups. We have here employed a thiol targeting strategy to relatively quantify the putative redox proteome in heterocysts as compared to N2-fixing filaments, 24 hours after combined nitrogen depletion. The aim of the study was to expand the coverage of the cell-type specific proteome and metabolic landscape of heterocysts. Results Here we report the first cell-type specific proteome of newly formed heterocysts, compared to N2-fixing filaments, using the cysteine-specific selective ICAT methodology. The data set defined a good quantitative accuracy of the ICAT reagent in complex protein samples. The relative abundance levels of 511 proteins were determined and 74% showed a cell-type specific differential abundance. The majority of the identified proteins have not previously been quantified at the cell-type specific level. We have in addition analyzed the cell-type specific differential abundance of a large section of proteins quantified in both newly formed and steady-state diazotrophic cultures in N. punctiforme. The results describe a wide distribution of members of the putative redox regulated Cys-proteome in the central metabolism of both vegetative cells and heterocysts of N. punctiforme. Conclusions The data set broadens our understanding of heterocysts and describes novel proteins involved in heterocyst physiology, including signaling and regulatory proteins as well as a large number of proteins with unknown function. Significant differences in cell-type specific abundance levels were present in the cell-type specific proteomes of newly formed diazotrophic filaments as compared to steady-state cultures. Therefore we conclude that by using our approach we are able to analyze a synchronized fraction of newly formed heterocysts, which enabled a better detection of proteins involved in the heterocyst specific physiology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-1064) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karin Stensjö
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
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González A, Valladares A, Peleato ML, Fillat MF. FurA influences heterocyst differentiation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:2682-90. [PMID: 23851073 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, FurA is a global transcriptional regulator whose expression is strongly induced by NtcA in proheterocysts and remains stably expressed in mature heterocysts. In the present study, overexpression of furA partially suppressed heterocyst differentiation by impairing morphogenesis at an early stage. Recombinant purified FurA specifically bound in vitro to the promoter regions of ntcA, while quantitative RT-PCR analyses indicated that furA overexpression strongly affected the transient increase of ntcA expression that occurs shortly after nitrogen step-down. Overall, the results suggest a connection between iron homeostasis and heterocyst differentiation via FurA, by modulating the expression of ntcA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Tan H, Wan S, Liu PQ, Wang L, Zhang CC, Chen WL. Alr5068, a Low-Molecular-Weight protein tyrosine phosphatase, is involved in formation of the heterocysts polysaccharide layer in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Res Microbiol 2013; 164:875-85. [PMID: 23827083 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2013.05.003] [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: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 forms nitrogen-fixing heterocysts after deprivation of combined nitrogen. Under such conditions, vegetative cells provide heterocysts with photosynthate and receive fixed nitrogen from the latter. Heterocyst envelope contains a glycolipid layer and a polysaccharide layer to restrict the diffusion of oxygen into heterocysts. Low-Molecular-Weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (LMW-PTPs) are involved in the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharides in bacteria. Alr5068, a protein from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, shows significant sequence similarity with LMW-PTPs. In this study we characterized the enzymatic properties of Alr5068 and showed that it can dephosphorylate several autophosphorylated tyrosine kinases (Alr2856, Alr3059 and All4432) of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 in vitro. Several conserved residues among LMW-PTPs are shown to be essential for the phosphatase activity of Alr5068. Overexpression of alr5068 results in a strain unable to survive under diazotrophic conditions, with the formation of morphologically mature heterocysts detached from the filaments. Overexpression of an alr5068 allele that lost phosphatase activity led to the formation of heterocyst with an impaired polysaccharide layer. The alr5068 gene was upregulated after nitrogen step-down and its mutation affected the expression of hepA and hepC, two genes necessary for the formation of the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide (HEP) layer. Our results suggest that Alr5068 is associated with the production of HEP in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China.
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A major facilitator superfamily protein, HepP, is involved in formation of the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. J Bacteriol 2012; 194:4677-87. [PMID: 22753066 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00489-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Some filamentous cyanobacteria such as Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 produce cells, termed heterocysts, specialized in nitrogen fixation. Heterocysts bear a thick envelope containing an inner layer of glycolipids and an outer layer of polysaccharide that restrict the diffusion of air (including O(2)) into the heterocyst. Anabaena sp. mutants impaired in production of either of those layers show a Fox(-) phenotype (requiring fixed nitrogen for growth under oxic conditions). We have characterized a set of transposon-induced Fox(-) mutants in which transposon Tn5-1063 was inserted into the Anabaena sp. chromosome open reading frame all1711 which encodes a predicted membrane protein that belongs to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). These mutants showed higher nitrogenase activities under anoxic than under oxic conditions and altered sucrose uptake. Electron microscopy and alcian blue staining showed a lack of the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide (Hep) layer. Northern blot and primer extension analyses showed that, in a manner dependent on the nitrogen-control transcription factor NtcA, all1711 was strongly induced after nitrogen step-down. Confocal microscopy of an Anabaena sp. strain producing an All1711-green fluorescent protein (All1711-GFP) fusion protein showed induction in all cells of the filament but at higher levels in differentiating heterocysts. All1711-GFP was located in the periphery of the cells, consistent with All1711 being a cytoplasmic membrane protein. Expression of all1711 from the P(glnA) promoter in a multicopy plasmid led to production of a presumptive exopolysaccharide by vegetative cells. These results suggest that All1711, which we denote HepP, is involved in transport of glycoside(s), with a specific physiological role in production of Hep.
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Gong Y, Xu X. A small internal antisense RNA (aftsH) of all3642 (ftsH) in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-011-4929-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Identification of ten Anabaena sp. genes that under aerobic conditions are required for growth on dinitrogen but not for growth on fixed nitrogen. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:3482-9. [PMID: 21602343 DOI: 10.1128/jb.05010-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterocysts are specialized cells required for aerobic fixation of dinitrogen by certain filamentous cyanobacteria. Numerous genes involved in the differentiation and function of heterocysts in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 have been identified by mutagenizing and screening for mutants that require fixed nitrogen for growth in the presence of oxygen. We have verified that 10 Anabaena sp. genes, all1338, all1591, alr1728, all3278, all3520, all3582, all3850, all4019, alr4311, and all4388, identified initially by transposon mutagenesis, are such genes by complementing or reconstructing the original mutation and by determining whether the mutant phenotype might be due to a polar effect of the transposon. Elucidation of the roles of these genes should enhance understanding of heterocyst biology.
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Mella-Herrera RA, Neunuebel MR, Kumar K, Saha SK, Golden JW. The sigE gene is required for normal expression of heterocyst-specific genes in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:1823-32. [PMID: 21317330 PMCID: PMC3133031 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01472-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. strain PCC 7120 produces specialized cells for nitrogen fixation called heterocysts. Previous work showed that the group 2 sigma factor sigE (alr4249; previously called sigF) is upregulated in differentiating heterocysts 16 h after nitrogen step-down. We now show that the sigE gene is required for normal heterocyst development and normal expression levels of several heterocyst-specific genes. Mobility shift assays showed that the transcription factor NtcA binds to sites in the upstream region of sigE and that this binding is enhanced by 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG). Deletions of the region containing the NtcA binding sites in P(sigE)-gfp reporter plasmids showed that the sites contribute to normal developmental regulation but are not essential for upregulation in heterocysts. Northern RNA blot analysis of nifH mRNA revealed delayed and reduced transcript levels during heterocyst differentiation in a sigE mutant background. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses of the sigE mutant showed lower levels of transcripts for nifH, fdxH, and hglE2 but normal levels for hupL. We developed a P(nifHD)-gfp reporter construct that showed strong heterocyst-specific expression. Time-lapse microscopy of the P(nifHD)-gfp reporter in a sigE mutant background showed delayed development and undetectable green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence. Overexpression of sigE caused accelerated heterocyst development, an increased heterocyst frequency, and premature expression of GFP fluorescence from the P(nifHD)-gfp reporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A. Mella-Herrera
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3258
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California—San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0116
| | - M. Ramona Neunuebel
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3258
| | - Krithika Kumar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3258
| | - Sushanta K. Saha
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California—San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0116
| | - James W. Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California—San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0116
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Reckseidler-Zenteno SL, Viteri DF, Moore R, Wong E, Tuanyok A, Woods DE. Characterization of the type III capsular polysaccharide produced by Burkholderia pseudomallei. J Med Microbiol 2010; 59:1403-1414. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.022202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei has been shown to produce more than one capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Analysis of the B. pseudomallei genome has revealed that the organism contains four CPS operons (I–IV). One of these operons (CPS III) was selected for further study. Comparative sequencing analysis revealed that the genes encoding CPS III are present in B. pseudomallei and Burkholderia thailandensis but not in Burkholderia mallei. In this study, CPS III was not found to contribute to the virulence of B. pseudomallei. Strains containing mutations in CPS III had the same LD50 value as the wild-type when tested in an animal infection model. Production of CPS III was shown to be induced in water but inhibited in 30 % normal human serum using a lux reporter fusion assay. Microarray analysis of capsule gene expression in infected hamsters revealed that the genes encoding CPS III were not significantly expressed in vivo compared with the genes encoding the previously characterized mannoheptose capsule (CPS I), which is an important virulence factor in B. pseudomallei. Glycosyl-composition analysis by combined GC/MS indicated that the CPS III genes are involved in the synthesis of a capsule composed of galactose, glucose, mannose and xylose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shauna L. Reckseidler-Zenteno
- Centre for Science, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 9Z9, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Duber-Frey Viteri
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Richard Moore
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Erica Wong
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Apichai Tuanyok
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Donald E. Woods
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Center, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Mella-Herrera RA, Neunuebel MR, Golden JW. Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 conR contains a LytR-CpsA-Psr domain, is developmentally regulated, and is essential for diazotrophic growth and heterocyst morphogenesis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2010; 157:617-626. [PMID: 21088107 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.046128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The conR (all0187) gene of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. strain PCC 7120 is predicted to be part of a family of proteins that contain the LytR-CpsA-Psr domain associated with septum formation and cell wall maintenance. The conR gene was originally misannotated as a transcription regulator. Northern RNA blot analysis showed that conR expression was upregulated 8 h after nitrogen step-down. Fluorescence microscopy of a P(conR)-gfp reporter strain revealed increased GFP fluorescence in proheterocysts and heterocysts beginning 9 h after nitrogen step-down. Insertional inactivation of conR caused a septum-formation defect of vegetative cells grown in nitrate-containing medium. In nitrate-free medium, mutant filaments formed abnormally long heterocysts and were defective for diazotrophic growth. Septum formation between heterocysts and adjacent vegetative cells was abnormal, often with one or both poles of the heterocysts appearing partially open. In a conR mutant, expression of nifH was delayed after nitrogen step-down and nitrogenase activity was approximately 70 % of wild-type activity, indicating that heterocysts of the conR mutant strain are partially functional. We hypothesize that the diazotrophic growth defect is caused by an inability of the heterocysts to transport fixed nitrogen to the neighbouring vegetative cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A Mella-Herrera
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA.,Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3258, USA
| | - M Ramona Neunuebel
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3258, USA
| | - James W Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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Abstract
Many multicellular cyanobacteria produce specialized nitrogen-fixing heterocysts. During diazotrophic growth of the model organism Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. strain PCC 7120, a regulated developmental pattern of single heterocysts separated by about 10 to 20 photosynthetic vegetative cells is maintained along filaments. Heterocyst structure and metabolic activity function together to accommodate the oxygen-sensitive process of nitrogen fixation. This article focuses on recent research on heterocyst development, including morphogenesis, transport of molecules between cells in a filament, differential gene expression, and pattern formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krithika Kumar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, USA
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Nicolaisen K, Hahn A, Schleiff E. The cell wall in heterocyst formation byAnabaenasp. PCC 7120. J Basic Microbiol 2009; 49:5-24. [DOI: 10.1002/jobm.200800300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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