Regulation of Escherichia coli glnB, prsA, and speA by the purine repressor

Feedback regulation and coordination of the main metabolism for bacterial growth and metabolic engineering for amino acid fermentation

Living organisms such as bacteria are often exposed to continuous changes in the nutrient availability in nature. Therefore, bacteria must constantly monitor the environmental condition, and adjust the metabolism quickly adapting to the change in the growth condition. For this, bacteria must orchestrate (coordinate and integrate) the complex and dynamically changing information on the environmental condition. In particular, the central carbon metabolism (CCM), monomer synthesis, and macromolecular synthesis must be coordinately regulated for the efficient growth. It is a grand challenge in bioscience, biotechnology, and synthetic biology to understand how living organisms coordinate the metabolic regulation systems. Here, we consider the integrated sensing of carbon sources by the phosphotransferase system (PTS), and the feed-forward/feedback regulation systems incorporated in the CCM in relation to the pool sizes of flux-sensing metabolites and αketoacids. We also consider the metabolic regulation of amino acid biosynthesis (as well as purine and pyrimidine biosyntheses) paying attention to the feedback control systems consisting of (fast) enzyme level regulation with (slow) transcriptional regulation. The metabolic engineering for the efficient amino acid production by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum is also discussed (in relation to the regulation mechanisms). The amino acid synthesis is important for determining the rate of ribosome biosynthesis. Thus, the growth rate control (growth law) is further discussed on the relationship between (p)ppGpp level and the ribosomal protein synthesis.

Engineering Alternate Ligand Recognition in the PurR Topology: A System of Novel Caffeine Biosensing Transcriptional Antirepressors

Recent advances in synthetic biology and protein engineering have increased the number of allosteric transcription factors used to regulate independent promoters. These developments represent an important increase in our biological computing capacity, which will enable us to construct more sophisticated genetic programs for a broad range of biological technologies. However, the majority of these transcription factors are represented by the repressor phenotype (BUFFER), and require layered inversion to confer the antithetical logical function (NOT), requiring additional biological resources. Moreover, these engineered transcription factors typically utilize native ligand binding functions paired with alternate DNA binding functions. In this study, we have advanced the state-of-the-art by engineering and redesigning the PurR topology (a native antirepressor) to be responsive to caffeine, while mitigating responsiveness to the native ligand hypoxanthine-i.e., a deamination product of the input molecule adenine. Importantly, the resulting caffeine responsive transcription factors are not antagonized by the native ligand hypoxanthine. In addition, we conferred alternate DNA binding to the caffeine antirepressors, and to the PurR scaffold, creating 38 new transcription factors that are congruent with our current transcriptional programming structure. Finally, we leveraged this system of transcription factors to create integrated NOR logic and related feedback operations. This study represents the first example of a system of transcription factors (antirepressors) in which both the ligand binding site and the DNA binding functions were successfully engineered in tandem.

Pervasive Regulatory Functions of mRNA Structure Revealed by High-Resolution SHAPE Probing

mRNAs can fold into complex structures that regulate gene expression. Resolving such structures de novo has remained challenging and has limited our understanding of the prevalence and functions of mRNA structure. We use SHAPE-MaP experiments in living E. coli cells to derive quantitative, nucleotide-resolution structure models for 194 endogenous transcripts encompassing approximately 400 genes. Individual mRNAs have exceptionally diverse architectures, and most contain well-defined structures. Active translation destabilizes mRNA structure in cells. Nevertheless, mRNA structure remains similar between in-cell and cell-free environments, indicating broad potential for structure-mediated gene regulation. We find that the translation efficiency of endogenous genes is regulated by unfolding kinetics of structures overlapping the ribosome binding site. We discover conserved structured elements in 35% of UTRs, several of which we validate as novel protein binding motifs. RNA structure regulates every gene studied here in a meaningful way, implying that most functional structures remain to be discovered.

Phosphoribosyl Diphosphate (PRPP): Biosynthesis, Enzymology, Utilization, and Metabolic Significance

Phosphoribosyl diphosphate (PRPP) is an important intermediate in cellular metabolism. PRPP is synthesized by PRPP synthase, as follows: ribose 5-phosphate + ATP → PRPP + AMP. PRPP is ubiquitously found in living organisms and is used in substitution reactions with the formation of glycosidic bonds. PRPP is utilized in the biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, the amino acids histidine and tryptophan, the cofactors NAD and tetrahydromethanopterin, arabinosyl monophosphodecaprenol, and certain aminoglycoside antibiotics. The participation of PRPP in each of these metabolic pathways is reviewed. Central to the metabolism of PRPP is PRPP synthase, which has been studied from all kingdoms of life by classical mechanistic procedures. The results of these analyses are unified with recent progress in molecular enzymology and the elucidation of the three-dimensional structures of PRPP synthases from eubacteria, archaea, and humans. The structures and mechanisms of catalysis of the five diphosphoryltransferases are compared, as are those of selected enzymes of diphosphoryl transfer, phosphoryl transfer, and nucleotidyl transfer reactions. PRPP is used as a substrate by a large number phosphoribosyltransferases. The protein structures and reaction mechanisms of these phosphoribosyltransferases vary and demonstrate the versatility of PRPP as an intermediate in cellular physiology. PRPP synthases appear to have originated from a phosphoribosyltransferase during evolution, as demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis. PRPP, furthermore, is an effector molecule of purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis, either by binding to PurR or PyrR regulatory proteins or as an allosteric activator of carbamoylphosphate synthetase. Genetic analyses have disclosed a number of mutants altered in the PRPP synthase-specifying genes in humans as well as bacterial species.

Biosynthesis of Arginine and Polyamines

Early investigations on arginine biosynthesis brought to light basic features of metabolic regulation. The most significant advances of the last 10 to 15 years concern the arginine repressor, its structure and mode of action in both E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium, the sequence analysis of all arg structural genes in E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium, the resulting evolutionary inferences, and the dual regulation of the carAB operon. This review provides an overall picture of the pathways, their interconnections, the regulatory circuits involved, and the resulting interferences between arginine and polyamine biosynthesis. Carbamoylphosphate is a precursor common to arginine and the pyrimidines. In both Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, it is produced by a single synthetase, carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPSase), with glutamine as the physiological amino group donor. This situation contrasts with the existence of separate enzymes specific for arginine and pyrimidine biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis and fungi. Polyamine biosynthesis has been particularly well studied in E. coli, and the cognate genes have been identified in the Salmonella genome as well, including those involved in transport functions. The review summarizes what is known about the enzymes involved in the arginine pathway of E. coli and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium; homologous genes were identified in both organisms, except argF (encoding a supplementary OTCase), which is lacking in Salmonella. Several examples of putative enzyme recruitment (homologous enzymes performing analogous functions) are also presented.

Nucleotides, Nucleosides, and Nucleobases

We review literature on the metabolism of ribo- and deoxyribonucleotides, nucleosides, and nucleobases in Escherichia coli and Salmonella,including biosynthesis, degradation, interconversion, and transport. Emphasis is placed on enzymology and regulation of the pathways, at both the level of gene expression and the control of enzyme activity. The paper begins with an overview of the reactions that form and break the N-glycosyl bond, which binds the nucleobase to the ribosyl moiety in nucleotides and nucleosides, and the enzymes involved in the interconversion of the different phosphorylated states of the nucleotides. Next, the de novo pathways for purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis are discussed in detail.Finally, the conversion of nucleosides and nucleobases to nucleotides, i.e.,the salvage reactions, are described. The formation of deoxyribonucleotides is discussed, with emphasis on ribonucleotidereductase and pathways involved in fomation of dUMP. At the end, we discuss transport systems for nucleosides and nucleobases and also pathways for breakdown of the nucleobases.

Comparative genomics and evolution of regulons of the LacI-family transcription factors

DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) are essential components of transcriptional regulatory networks in bacteria. LacI-family TFs (LacI-TFs) are broadly distributed among certain lineages of bacteria. The majority of characterized LacI-TFs sense sugar effectors and regulate carbohydrate utilization genes. The comparative genomics approaches enable in silico identification of TF-binding sites and regulon reconstruction. To study the function and evolution of LacI-TFs, we performed genomics-based reconstruction and comparative analysis of their regulons. For over 1300 LacI-TFs from over 270 bacterial genomes, we predicted their cognate DNA-binding motifs and identified target genes. Using the genome context and metabolic subsystem analyses of reconstructed regulons, we tentatively assigned functional roles and predicted candidate effectors for 78 and 67% of the analyzed LacI-TFs, respectively. Nearly 90% of the studied LacI-TFs are local regulators of sugar utilization pathways, whereas the remaining 125 global regulators control large and diverse sets of metabolic genes. The global LacI-TFs include the previously known regulators CcpA in Firmicutes, FruR in Enterobacteria, and PurR in Gammaproteobacteria, as well as the three novel regulators—GluR, GapR, and PckR—that are predicted to control the central carbohydrate metabolism in three lineages of Alphaproteobacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of regulators combined with the reconstructed regulons provides a model of evolutionary diversification of the LacI protein family. The obtained genomic collection of in silico reconstructed LacI-TF regulons in bacteria is available in the RegPrecise database (http://regprecise.lbl.gov). It provides a framework for future structural and functional classification of the LacI protein family and identification of molecular determinants of the DNA and ligand specificity. The inferred regulons can be also used for functional gene annotation and reconstruction of sugar catabolic networks in diverse bacterial lineages.

Nitrogen assimilation in Escherichia coli: putting molecular data into a systems perspective

We present a comprehensive overview of the hierarchical network of intracellular processes revolving around central nitrogen metabolism in Escherichia coli. The hierarchy intertwines transport, metabolism, signaling leading to posttranslational modification, and transcription. The protein components of the network include an ammonium transporter (AmtB), a glutamine transporter (GlnHPQ), two ammonium assimilation pathways (glutamine synthetase [GS]-glutamate synthase [glutamine 2-oxoglutarate amidotransferase {GOGAT}] and glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH]), the two bifunctional enzymes adenylyl transferase/adenylyl-removing enzyme (ATase) and uridylyl transferase/uridylyl-removing enzyme (UTase), the two trimeric signal transduction proteins (GlnB and GlnK), the two-component regulatory system composed of the histidine protein kinase nitrogen regulator II (NRII) and the response nitrogen regulator I (NRI), three global transcriptional regulators called nitrogen assimilation control (Nac) protein, leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp), and cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (Crp), the glutaminases, and the nitrogen-phosphotransferase system. First, the structural and molecular knowledge on these proteins is reviewed. Thereafter, the activities of the components as they engage together in transport, metabolism, signal transduction, and transcription and their regulation are discussed. Next, old and new molecular data and physiological data are put into a common perspective on integral cellular functioning, especially with the aim of resolving counterintuitive or paradoxical processes featured in nitrogen assimilation. Finally, we articulate what still remains to be discovered and what general lessons can be learned from the vast amounts of data that are available now.

Evidence classification of high-throughput protocols and confidence integration in RegulonDB

RegulonDB provides curated information on the transcriptional regulatory network of Escherichia coli and contains both experimental data and computationally predicted objects. To account for the heterogeneity of these data, we introduced in version 6.0, a two-tier rating system for the strength of evidence, classifying evidence as either ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ (Gama-Castro,S., Jimenez-Jacinto,V., Peralta-Gil,M. et al. RegulonDB (Version 6.0): gene regulation model of Escherichia Coli K-12 beyond transcription, active (experimental) annotated promoters and textpresso navigation. Nucleic Acids Res., 2008;36:D120–D124.). We now add to our classification scheme the classification of high-throughput evidence, including chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and RNA-seq technologies. To integrate these data into RegulonDB, we present two strategies for the evaluation of confidence, statistical validation and independent cross-validation. Statistical validation involves verification of ChIP data for transcription factor-binding sites, using tools for motif discovery and quality assessment of the discovered matrices. Independent cross-validation combines independent evidence with the intention to mutually exclude false positives. Both statistical validation and cross-validation allow to upgrade subsets of data that are supported by weak evidence to a higher confidence level. Likewise, cross-validation of strong confidence data extends our two-tier rating system to a three-tier system by introducing a third confidence score ‘confirmed’.

Database URL:http://regulondb.ccg.unam.mx/

Biological design principles of complex feedback modules in the E. coli ammonia assimilation system

To synthesize natural or artificial life, it is critically important to understand the design principles of how biochemical networks generate particular cellular functions and evolve complex systems in comparison with engineering systems. Cellular systems maintain their robustness in the face of perturbations arising from environmental and genetic variations. In analogy to control engineering architectures, the complexity of modular structures within a cell can be attributed to the necessity of achieving robustness. To reveal such biological design, the E. coli ammonia assimilation system is analyzed, which consists of complex but highly structured modules: the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity feedback control module with bifunctional enzyme cascades for catalyzing reversible reactions, and the GS synthesis feedback control module with positive and negative feedback loops. We develop a full-scale dynamic model that unifies the two modules, and we analyze its robustness and fine tuning with respect to internal and external perturbations. The GS activity control is added to the GS synthesis module to improve its transient response to ammonia depletion, compensating the tradeoffs of each module, but its robustness to internal perturbations is lost. These findings suggest some design principles necessary for the synthesis of life.

Dual control by perfectly overlapping sigma 54- and sigma 70- promoters adjusts small RNA GlmY expression to different environmental signals

In Escherichia coli synthesis of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase GlmS is feedback-controlled by a regulatory cascade composed of small RNAs GlmY and GlmZ. When GlcN6P becomes limiting, GlmY accumulates and inhibits processing of GlmZ. Full-length GlmZ base-pairs with the glmS transcript and activates synthesis of GlmS, which re-synthesizes GlcN6P. Here we show that glmY expression is controlled by two overlapping promoters with the same transcription start site. A sigma(70)-dependent promoter contributes to glmY transcription during exponential growth. Alternatively, glmY can be transcribed from a sigma(54)-dependent promoter, which requires the YfhK/YfhA two-component system for activity. YfhK is a sensor kinase and YfhA is a response regulator that contains a sigma(54) interaction domain. YfhA binds to a DNA region located more than 100 bp upstream of glmY. Three copies of the conserved sequence TGTCN(10)GACA contribute to binding, and the two sites next to glmY are essential for activation of the sigma(54)-dependent promoter by YfhA. YfhK and YfhA upregulate GlmY when cells enter the stationary growth phase, whereas regulation by glucosamine-6-phosphate occurs post GlmY transcription. Target genes regulated by YfhK and YfhA were unknown so far. We propose to rename these proteins to GlrK and GlrR, for glmY regulating kinase and response regulator respectively.

Downregulation of the Escherichia coli guaB promoter by upstream-bound cyclic AMP receptor protein

The Escherichia coli guaB promoter (P(guaB)) is responsible for directing transcription of the guaB and guaA genes, which specify the biosynthesis of the nucleotide GMP. P(guaB) is subject to growth rate-dependent control (GRDC) and possesses an UP element that is required for this regulation. In addition, P(guaB) contains a discriminator, three binding sites for the nucleoid-associated protein FIS, and putative binding sites for the regulatory proteins DnaA, PurR, and cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP). Here we show that the CRP-cyclic AMP (cAMP) complex binds to a site located over 100 bp upstream of the guaB transcription start site, where it serves to downregulate P(guaB). The CRP-mediated repression of P(guaB) activity increases in media that support lower growth rates. Inactivation of the crp or cyaA gene or ablation/translocation of the CRP site relieves repression by CRP and results in a loss of GRDC of P(guaB). Thus, GRDC of P(guaB) involves a progressive increase in CRP-mediated repression of the promoter as the growth rate decreases. Our results also suggest that the CRP-cAMP complex does not direct GRDC at P(guaB) and that at least one other regulatory factor is required for conferring GRDC on this promoter. However, PurR and DnaA are not required for this regulatory mechanism.

The pivotal regulator GlnB of Escherichia coli is engaged in subtle and context-dependent control

This study tests the purported signal amplification capability of the glutamine synthetase (GS) regulatory cascade in Escherichia coli. Intracellular concentrations of the pivotal regulatory protein GlnB were modulated by varying expression of its gene (glnB). Neither glnB expression nor P(II)* (i.e. the sum of the concentration of the P(II)-like proteins GlnB and GlnK) had control over the steady-state adenylylation level of GS when cells were grown in the presence of ammonia, in which glnK is not activated. Following the removal of ammonia, the response coefficient of the transient deadenylylation rate of GS-AMP was again zero with respect to both glnB expression and P(II)* concentration. This was at wild-type P(II)* levels. A 20% decrease in the P(II)* level resulted in the response coefficients increasing to 1, which was quite significant yet far from expected for zero-order ultrasensitivity. The transient deadenylylation rate of GS-AMP after brief incubation with ammonia was also measured in cells grown in the absence of ammonia. Here, GlnK was present and both glnB expression and P(II)* lacked control throughout. Because at wild-type levels of P(II)*, the molar ratio of P(II)*-trimer/adenylyltransferase-monomer was only slightly above 1, it is suggested that the absence of control by P(II)* is caused by saturation of adenylyltransferase by P(II)*. The difference in the control of deadenylylation by P(II)* under the two different growth conditions indicates that control of signal transduction is adjusted to the growth conditions of the cell. Adjustment of regulation rather than ultrasensitivity may be the function of signal transduction chains such as the GS cascade. We discuss how the subtle interplay between GlnB, its homologue GlnK and the adenylyltransferase may be responsible for the 'redundant', but quantitative, phenotype of GlnB.

The two-component system QseEF and the membrane protein QseG link adrenergic and stress sensing to bacterial pathogenesis

Bacterial pathogens sense host cues to activate expression of virulence genes. Most of these signals are sensed through histidine kinases (HKs), which comprise the main sensory mechanism in bacteria. The host stress hormones epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine are sensed through the QseC HK, which initiates a complex signaling cascade to regulate virulence gene expression in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Epi signaling through QseC activates expression of the genes encoding the QseEF 2-component system. QseE is an HK, and QseF is a response regulator. Here, we show that QseE is a second bacterial adrenergic receptor that gauges the stress signals Epi, sulfate, and phosphate. The qseEF genes are organized within an unusual operonic structure, in that a gene is encoded between qseE and qseF. This gene was renamed qseG, and it was shown to encode an outer membrane (OM) protein. EHEC uses a type III secretion system (TTSS) to translocate effector proteins to the epithelial cells that rearrange the host cytoskeleton to form pedestal-like structures that cup the bacterium. QseE, QseG, and QseF are necessary for pedestal formation. Although QseE and QseF are involved in the transcriptional control of genes necessary for pedestal formation, QseG is necessary for translocation of effectors into epithelial cells. QseG is an OM protein necessary for translocation of TTSS effectors that also works in conjunction with a 2-component signaling system that senses host stress signals.

Effect of amplification of desensitized purF and prs on inosine accumulation in Escherichia coli

The effect of a phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase gene (prs) that was desensitized to feedback inhibition by ADP on inosine accumulation was investigated using an inosine-producing mutant of Escherichia coli. At the same time, various types of plasmid having a PRPP amidotransferase gene (purF) that was desensitized to feedback inhibition by AMP and GMP were also investigated to improve inosine productivity using a compatible plasmid containing prs with a plasmid containing purF. The recombinant E. coli I-9 harboring a low-copy-number plasmid having the desensitized-purF (pMWKQ) accumulated 3.6 g/l inosine from 40 g/l glucose in a 2-d culture. Furthermore, desensitized-prs amplification, in addition to purF, resulted in the accumulation of 6.2 g/l inosine. Additionally, through these experiments, a spontaneous mutant with an enhanced inosine-producing ability compared with the parent strain I-9 was obtained. The spontaneous mutant I-9m harboring only pMWKQ and I-9m harboring both pMWKQ and pSTVDA (a plasmid having the desensitized-prs) accumulated 6.7 g/l and 7.5 g/l inosine, respectively, from 40 g/l glucose in a 3-d culture.

Regulation of rugosity and biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae: comparison of VpsT and VpsR regulons and epistasis analysis of vpsT, vpsR, and hapR

Vibrio cholerae undergoes phenotypic variation that generates two morphologically different variants, termed smooth and rugose. The transcriptional profiles of the two variants differ greatly, and many of the differentially regulated genes are controlled by a complex regulatory circuitry that includes the transcriptional regulators VpsR, VpsT, and HapR. In this study, we identified the VpsT regulon and compared the VpsT and VpsR regulons to elucidate the contribution of each positive regulator to the rugose variant transcriptional profile and associated phenotypes. We have found that although the VpsT and VpsR regulons are very similar, the magnitude of the gene regulation accomplished by each regulator is different. We also determined that cdgA, which encodes a GGDEF domain protein, is partially responsible for the altered vps gene expression between the vpsT and vpsR mutants. Analysis of epistatic relationships among hapR, vpsT, and vpsR with respect to a whole-genome expression profile, colony morphology, and biofilm formation revealed that vpsR is epistatic to hapR and vpsT. Expression of virulence genes was increased in a vpsR hapR double mutant relative to a hapR mutant, suggesting that VpsR negatively regulates virulence gene expression in the hapR mutant. These results show that a complex regulatory interplay among VpsT, VpsR, HapR, and GGDEF/EAL family proteins controls transcription of the genes required for Vibrio polysaccharide and virulence factor production in V. cholerae.

Computational analysis of the transcriptional regulation of pentose utilization systems in the gamma subdivision of Proteobacteria

The comparative approach to the recognition of transcription regulatory sites is based on the assumption that as long as a regulator is conserved in several genomes, one can expect that sets of co-regulated genes (regulons) and regulatory sites for the regulator in these genomes are conserved as well. We used this approach to analyze the ribose (RbsR), arabinose (AraC), and xylose (XylR) regulons of gamma Proteobacteria for which (almost) completely sequenced genomes were available. Candidate binding sites for RbsR and AraC were detected. The improved XylR site consensus was proposed. Potential new members of the xylose regulons were found in the Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Klebsiella pneumoniae genomes. The function of these new xylose-regulated operons is likely to be the utilization of oligosaccharides containing xylose. Finally, candidate cAMP receptor-protein sites were identified in the regulatory regions of the majority of RbsR-, AraC-, and XylR-regulated operons.

P(II) signal transduction proteins, pivotal players in microbial nitrogen control

The P(II) family of signal transduction proteins are among the most widely distributed signal proteins in the bacterial world. First identified in 1969 as a component of the glutamine synthetase regulatory apparatus, P(II) proteins have since been recognized as playing a pivotal role in control of prokaryotic nitrogen metabolism. More recently, members of the family have been found in higher plants, where they also potentially play a role in nitrogen control. The P(II) proteins can function in the regulation of both gene transcription, by modulating the activity of regulatory proteins, and the catalytic activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. There is also emerging evidence that they may regulate the activity of proteins required for transport of nitrogen compounds into the cell. In this review we discuss the history of the P(II) proteins, their structures and biochemistry, and their distribution and functions in prokaryotes. We survey data emerging from bacterial genome sequences and consider other likely or potential targets for control by P(II) proteins.

A method for direct cloning of fur-regulated genes: identification of seven new fur-regulated loci in Escherichia coli

A strain that allows the cloning of Fur-regulated loci was constructed. The strain, named FUR-SEL1, contains a chromosomal fhuA'-'cat transcriptional fusion that is expressed from the Fur-regulated promoter, fhuA(p). Therefore, Fur boxes introduced on a multicopy plasmid can cause derepression of the fusion by titrating the Fur repressor and thereby confer chloramphenicol resistance, which can be used as a selectable phenotype for cloning Fur-regulated loci. However, a number of additional mutations had to be introduced before FUR-SEL1 could be used for cloning Fur-regulated genes. The principal approach consisted of introducing a leaky fur mutation that ensures a more than 10(6)-fold increase in chloramphenicol resistance for FUR-SEL1 transformants carrying FUR-box-containing plasmids. To verify that the cloning procedure selects Fur-regulated genes, 10 recombinant plasmids chosen at random among the ones selected with FUR-SEL1 were analysed by FURTA (Fur-titration assay), a method for identification of Fur-regulated genes. In addition, the nucleotide sequences of their chromosomal inserts were determined. Besides known Fur-regulated genes, seven Escherichia coli loci which have not previously been shown to be Fur regulated were found, including the pgmA and nrdHIEF genes, predicted ORF yhhY and four promoters identified first in this study. Three of the promoters preceded the nohA gene, and ORFs ygaC and yhhX. The fourth was located upstream of orf78 predicted in this work. The regulation of the promoter activities by iron and the involvement of Fur in this regulation were shown. Employing FUR-SEL1 for cloning Fur-regulated loci from other enterobacteria is discussed.

Recognition of regulatory sites by genomic comparison

Availability of complete bacterial genomes opens the way to the comparative approach to the recognition of transcription regulatory sites. Assumption of regulon conservation in conjunction with profile analysis provides two lines of independent evidence making it possible to make highly specific predictions. Recently this approach was used to analyze several regulons in eubacteria and archaebacteria. The present review covers recent advances in the comparative analysis of transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes and phylogenetic fingerprinting techniques in eukaryotes, and describes the emerging patterns of the evolution of regulatory systems.

The cyclic AMP receptor protein is dependent on GcvA for regulation of the gcv operon

The Escherichia coli gcv operon is transcriptionally regulated by the GcvA, GcvR, Lrp, and PurR proteins. In this study, the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) is shown to be involved in positive regulation of the gcv operon. A crp deletion reduced expression of a gcvT-lacZ fusion almost fourfold in glucose minimal (GM) medium. The phenotype was complemented by both the wild-type crp gene and four crp alleles that encode proteins with amino acid substitutions in known activating regions of CRP. A cyaA deletion also resulted in a fourfold decrease in gcvT-lacZ expression, and wild-type expression was restored by the addition of cAMP to the growth medium. A cyaA crp double deletion resulted in levels of gcvT-lacZ expression identical to those observed with either single mutation, showing that CRP and cAMP regulate through the same mechanism. Growth in GM medium plus cAMP or glycerol minimal medium did not result in a significant increase in gcvT-lacZ expression. Thus, the level of cAMP present in GM medium appears to be sufficient for regulation by CRP. DNase I footprint analysis showed that CRP binds and protects two sites centered at bp -313 (site 1) and bp -140 (site 2) relative to the transcription initiation site, but a mutational analysis demonstrated that only site 1 is required for CRP-mediated regulation of gcvT-lacZ expression. Expression of the gcvT-lacZ fusion in a crp gcvA double mutant suggested that CRP's role is dependent on the GcvA protein.

Linkage map of Escherichia coli K-12, edition 10: the traditional map

This map is an update of the edition 9 map by Berlyn et al. (M. K. B. Berlyn, K. B. Low, and K. E. Rudd, p. 1715-1902, in F. C. Neidhardt et al., ed., Escherichia coli and Salmonella: cellular and molecular biology, 2nd ed., vol. 2, 1996). It uses coordinates established by the completed sequence, expressed as 100 minutes for the entire circular map, and adds new genes discovered and established since 1996 and eliminates those shown to correspond to other known genes. The latter are included as synonyms. An alphabetical list of genes showing map location, synonyms, the protein or RNA product of the gene, phenotypes of mutants, and reference citations is provided. In addition to genes known to correspond to gene sequences, other genes, often older, that are described by phenotype and older mapping techniques and that have not been correlated with sequences are included.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of purine repressor binding to corepressor and operator DNA

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for purine repressor (PurR)-operator and PurR-guanine binding were determined using fluorescence spectroscopy and nitrocellulose filter binding. Operator binding affinity was increased by the presence of guanine as demonstrated previously (Choi, K. Y., Lu, F., and Zalkin, H. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 24066-24072; Rolfes, R. J., and Zalkin, H. (1990) J. Bacteriol. 172, 5637-5642), and conversely guanine binding affinity was increased by the presence of operator. Guanine enhanced operator affinity by increasing the association rate constant and decreasing the dissociation rate constant for binding. Operator had minimal effect on the association rate constant for guanine binding; however, this DNA decreased the dissociation rate constant for corepressor by approximately 10-fold. Despite significant sequence and structural similarity between PurR and LacI proteins, PurR binds to its corepressor ligand with a lower association rate constant than LacI binds to its inducer ligand. However, the rate constant for PurR-guanine binding to operator is approximately 3-fold higher than for LacI binding to its cognate operator under the same solution conditions. The distinct metabolic roles of the enzymes under regulation by these two repressor proteins provide a rationale for the observed functional differences.

The X-ray structure of the PurR-guanine-purF operator complex reveals the contributions of complementary electrostatic surfaces and a water-mediated hydrogen bond to corepressor specificity and binding affinity

The purine repressor, PurR, is the master regulatory protein of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. This dimeric transcription factor is activated to bind to cognate DNA operator sites by initially binding either of its physiologically relevant, high affinity corepressors, hypoxanthine (Kd = 9.3 microM) or guanine (Kd = 1.5 microM). Here, we report the 2.5-A crystal structure of the PurR-guanine-purF operator ternary complex and complete the atomic description of 6-oxopurine-induced repression by PurR. As anticipated, the structure of the PurR-guanine-purF operator complex is isomorphous to the PurR-hypoxanthine-purF operator complex, and their protein-DNA and protein-corepressor interactions are nearly identical. The former finding confirms the use of an identical allosteric DNA-binding mechanism whereby corepressor binding 40 A from the DNA-binding domain juxtaposes the hinge regions of each monomer, thus favoring the formation and insertion of the critical minor groove-binding hinge helices. Strikingly, the higher binding affinity of guanine for PurR and the ability of PurR to discriminate against 2-oxopurines do not result from direct protein-ligand interactions, but rather from a water-mediated contact with the exocyclic N-2 of guanine, which dictates the presence of a donor group on the corepressor, and the better electrostatic complementarity of the guanine base and the corepressor-binding pocket.

Specific binding of DnaA protein to a DnaA box in the guaB gene of Escherichia coli K12

Expression of the guaBA operon of Escherichia coli is regulated by the DNA replication-initiating protein, DnaA. Two DnaA boxes, which are potential binding sites for DnaA, are present in the gua operon. One box (with 8/9 match to the DnaA box consensus sequence) is at the gua promoter; the other box, which has a consensus sequence, is on the non-transcribed strand within the guaB coding region approximately 200 bp downstream of the initiation codon. The binding in vitro of purified DnaA protein to these boxes was investigated by filter retention and gel retardation analysis, and by deoxyribonuclease I footprinting, using restriction fragments of gua operon DNA. DnaA protein was shown to bind specifically only to the fragment carrying the consensus sequence DnaA box, and to protect this box from deoxyribonuclease I. Transcription termination resulting from the binding of DnaA to this box within the guaB gene explains repression by DnaA of the gua operon in vivo.

Nitrogen control in bacteria

Nitrogen metabolism in prokaryotes involves the coordinated expression of a large number of enzymes concerned with both utilization of extracellular nitrogen sources and intracellular biosynthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. The control of this expression is determined by the availability of fixed nitrogen to the cell and is effected by complex regulatory networks involving regulation at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. While the most detailed studies to date have been carried out with enteric bacteria, there is a considerable body of evidence to show that the nitrogen regulation (ntr) systems described in the enterics extend to many other genera. Furthermore, as the range of bacteria in which the phenomenon of nitrogen control is examined is being extended, new regulatory mechanisms are also being discovered. In this review, we have attempted to summarize recent research in prokaryotic nitrogen control; to show the ubiquity of the ntr system, at least in gram-negative organisms; and to identify those areas and groups of organisms about which there is much still to learn.

DNA binding sites of the LysR-type regulator GcvA in the gcv and gcvA control regions of Escherichia coli

The GcvA protein is a LysR family regulatory protein necessary for both activation and repression of the Escherichia coli glycine cleavage enzyme operon (gcv) and negative regulation of gcvA. Gel shift assays indicated that overexpressed GcvA in crude extracts is capable of binding specifically to DNA containing the gcv and gcvA control regions. DNase I footprint analysis of the gcvA control region revealed one region of GcvA-mediated protection overlapping the transcription initiation site and extending from -28 to +20. Three separate GcvA binding sites in gcv were identified by DNase I footprint analysis: a 29-bp region extending from positions -271 to -242, a 28-bp region extending from -242 to -214, and a 35-bp region covering positions -69 to -34 relative to the transcription initiation site. PCR-generated mutations in any of the three GcvA binding sites in gcv decreased GcvA-mediated activation and repression of gcv.

Characterization of the Escherichia coli gcvR gene encoding a negative regulator of gcv expression

The Escherichia coli glycine cleavage enzyme system catalyzes the cleavage of glycine, generating CO2, NH3, and a one-carbon unit. Expression of the operon encoding this enzyme system (gcv) is induced in the presence of glycine and repressed in the presence of purines. In this study, a mutant with high-level constitutive expression of a gcvT-lacZ gene fusion was isolated. The mutation in this strain was designated gcvR1 and was mapped to min 53.3 on the E. coli chromosome. A single-copy plasmid carrying the wild-type gcvR gene complemented the mutation, restoring normal regulation of a gcvT-lacZ fusion, while a multicopy plasmid carrying gcvR led to superrepression under all growth conditions. Negative regulation of a gcvT-lacZ fusion by GcvR was shown to require GcvA, a LysR family protein known to both activate gcv in the presence of glycine and repress gcv in the presence of purines. Models explaining how GcvR and GcvA might interact to regulate gcv expression are proposed.

Crystal structure of LacI member, PurR, bound to DNA: minor groove binding by alpha helices

The three-dimensional structure of a ternary complex of the purine repressor, PurR, bound to both its corepressor, hypoxanthine, and the 16-base pair purF operator site has been solved at 2.7 A resolution by x-ray crystallography. The bipartite structure of PurR consists of an amino-terminal DNA-binding domain and a larger carboxyl-terminal corepressor binding and dimerization domain that is similar to that of the bacterial periplasmic binding proteins. The DNA-binding domain contains a helix-turn-helix motif that makes base-specific contacts in the major groove of the DNA. Base contacts are also made by residues of symmetry-related alpha helices, the "hinge" helices, which bind deeply in the minor groove. Critical to hinge helix-minor groove binding is the intercalation of the side chains of Leu54 and its symmetry-related mate, Leu54', into the central CpG-base pair step. These residues thereby act as "leucine levers" to pry open the minor groove and kink the purF operator by 45 degrees.

Why does Escherichia coli have two primary pathways for synthesis of glutamate?

Escherichia coli has two primary pathways for glutamate synthetase-glutamate synthase pathway is known to be essential for synthesis at low ammonium concentrations and for regulation of the glutamine pool, but the necessity for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) has been uncertain. The results of competition experiments between the wild type and a GDH-deficient mutant during nutrient-limited growth and of direct enzyme measurements suggest that GDH is used in glutamate synthesis when the cell is limited for energy (and carbon) but ammonium and phosphate are present in excess, while the glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase pathway is used when the cell is not under energy limitation. The use of alternative routes for glutamate synthesis implies that the energy cost of biosynthesis may be less when energy is limited than when energy is unlimited.

DNA sequence and characterization of GcvA, a LysR family regulatory protein for the Escherichia coli glycine cleavage enzyme system

The gene encoding GcvA, the trans-acting regulatory protein for the Escherichia coli glycine cleavage enzyme system, has been sequenced. The gcvA locus contains an open reading frame of 930 nucleotides that could encode a protein with a molecular mass of 34.4 kDa, consistent with the results of minicell analysis indicating that GcvA is a polypeptide of approximately 33 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of GcvA revealed that this protein shares similarity with the LysR family of activator proteins. The transcription start site was found to be 72 bp upstream of the presumed translation start site. A chromosomal deletion of gcvA resulted in the inability of cells to activate the expression of a gcvT-lacZ gene fusion when grown in the presence of glycine and an inability to repress gcvT-lacZ expression when grown in the presence of inosine. The regulation of gcvA was examined by constructing a gcvA-lacZ gene fusion in which beta-galactosidase synthesis is under the control of the gcvA regulatory region. Although gcvA expression appears to be autogenously regulated over a two- to threefold range, it is neither induced by glycine nor repressed by inosine.

Evidence that asgB encodes a DNA-binding protein essential for growth and development of Myxococcus xanthus

The asg mutants of Myxococcus xanthus are defective in production of extracellular A-signal, which serves as a cell density signal for fruiting-body development. The DNA sequence of asgB, one of the three asg genes, was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of AsgB contains a DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif near the C terminus. This putative helix-turn-helix is highly similar to the helix-turn-helix in region 4.2 of major sigma factors, which is the region that recognizes and interacts with -35 sequences of promoters. We propose that AsgB is a transcription factor that binds to DNA sequences similar to the -35 hexamer, TTGACA. Analyses of asgB RNA levels and expression of an asgB-lacZ translational fusion indicate that expression of asgB remains fairly constant during the transition from growth into early development. The mutation within the asgB480 allele was identified as an A-to-G transition that results in a threonine-to-alanine substitution in the predicted protein product. Attempts to replace the wild-type copy of asgB with a null allele failed, indicating that asgB may be essential for growth.

Role of the purine repressor hinge sequence in repressor function

A protease-hypersensitive hinge sequence in Escherichia coli purine repressor (PurR) connects an N-terminal DNA-binding domain with a contiguous corepressor-binding domain. Binding of one molecule of dimeric repressor to operator DNA protects the hinge against proteolytic cleavage. Mutations in the hinge region impair repressor function in vivo. Several nonfunctional hinge mutants were defective in low-affinity binding to operator DNA in the absence of corepressor as well as in high-affinity corepressor-dependent binding to operator DNA, although binding of corepressor was similar to binding of the wild-type repressor. These results establish a role for the hinge region in operator binding and lead to a proposal for two routes to form the holoPurR-operator complex.

Regulation of Escherichia coli purA by purine repressor, one component of a dual control mechanism

Escherichia coli purA encodes adenylosuccinate synthetase, one of two enzymes required for synthesis of AMP from IMP. purA is subject to two- to threefold regulation by purR and about twofold regulation by a purR-independent mechanism. The 5'-flanking region of purA confers purR-dependent transcriptional regulation of purA but not the purR-independent regulation. Two operator sites in the 5'-flanking region which bind purine repressor in vitro and are required for in vivo regulation were identified. The purR-independent regulation may be posttranscriptional. It is now established that all transcription units involved in de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides, nine pur operons, as well as purR itself and guaBA, are subject to purR control.

The glnB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome

We present sequences of the glnB gene of Escherichia coli and of two open reading frames (ORFs) located directly upstream of glnB and transcribed in the same direction. The major transcriptional start sites for glnB are located between ORF-2 and glnB, but some transcription of glnB is initiated at the promoter for ORF-1. The putative amino acid sequence of the ORF-2 product has high homology to that of response regulators which by phosphorylation acquire the ability to activate transcription of sigma 54-dependent promoters. The product of ORF-1 showed no similarity to other known proteins. The product of neither ORF-1 nor ORF-2 is necessary for the ability of PII, the product of glnB, to bring about the repression of glutamine synthetase in response to nitrogen excess. On the other hand, the product of hmpA, a gene located on the other side of glnB and transcribed in the opposite direction, appears to play an auxiliary role in this process.