Escherichia coli RNA polymerase mutants that enhance or diminish the SOS response constitutively expressed in the absence of RNase HI activity

RNA biogenesis and RNA metabolism factors as R-loop suppressors: a hidden role in genome integrity

Genome integrity relies on the accuracy of DNA metabolism, but as appreciated for more than four decades, transcription enhances mutation and recombination frequencies. More recent research provided evidence for a previously unforeseen link between RNA and DNA metabolism, which is often related to the accumulation of DNA-RNA hybrids and R-loops. In addition to physiological roles, R-loops interfere with DNA replication and repair, providing a molecular scenario for the origin of genome instability. Here, we review current knowledge on the multiple RNA factors that prevent or resolve R-loops and consequent transcription-replication conflicts and thus act as modulators of genome dynamics.

trans-translation system is important for maintaining genome integrity during DNA damage in bacteria

DNA integrity in bacteria is regulated by various factors that act on the DNA. trans-translation has previously been shown to be important for the survival of Escherichia coli cells exposed to certain DNA-damaging agents. However, the mechanisms underlying this sensitivity are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the involvement of the trans-translation system in the maintenance of genome integrity using various DNA-damaging agents and mutant backgrounds. Relative viability assays showed that SsrA-defective cells were sensitive to DNA-damaging agents, such as nalidixic acid (NA), ultraviolet radiation (UV), and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The viability of SsrA-defective cells was rescued by deleting sulA, although the expression of SulA was not more pronounced in SsrA-defective cells than in wild-type cells. Live cell imaging using a Gam-GFP fluorescent reporter showed increased double-strand breaks (DSBs) in SsrA-defective cells during DNA damage. We also showed that the ribosome rescue function of SsrA was sufficient for DNA damage tolerance. DNA damage sensitivity can be alleviated by partial uncoupling of transcription and translation by using sub-lethal concentrations of ribosome inhibiting antibiotic (tetracycline) or by mutating the gene coding for RNase H (rnhA). Taken together, our results highlight the importance of trans-translation system in maintaining genome integrity and bacterial survival during DNA damage.

The Impact of RNA-DNA Hybrids on Genome Integrity in Bacteria

During the essential processes of DNA replication and transcription, RNA-DNA hybrid intermediates are formed that pose significant risks to genome integrity when left unresolved. To manage RNA-DNA hybrids, all cells rely on RNase H family enzymes that specifically cleave the RNA portion of the many different types of hybrids that form in vivo. Recent experimental advances have provided new insight into how RNA-DNA hybrids form and the consequences to genome integrity that ensue when persistent hybrids remain unresolved. Here we review the types of RNA-DNA hybrids, including R-loops, RNA primers, and ribonucleotide misincorporations, that form during DNA replication and transcription and discuss how each type of hybrid can contribute to genome instability in bacteria. Further, we discuss how bacterial RNase HI, HII, and HIII and bacterial FEN enzymes contribute to genome maintenance through the resolution of hybrids.

Interaction with single-stranded DNA-binding protein localizes ribonuclease HI to DNA replication forks and facilitates R-loop removal

DNA replication complexes (replisomes) routinely encounter proteins and unusual nucleic acid structures that can impede their progress. Barriers can include transcription complexes and R-loops that form when RNA hybridizes with complementary DNA templates behind RNA polymerases. Cells encode several RNA polymerase and R-loop clearance mechanisms to limit replisome exposure to these potential obstructions. One such mechanism is hydrolysis of R-loops by ribonuclease HI (RNase HI). Here, we examine the cellular role of the interaction between Escherichia coli RNase HI and the single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) in this process. Interaction with SSB localizes RNase HI foci to DNA replication sites. Mutation of rnhA to encode an RNase HI variant that cannot interact with SSB but that maintains enzymatic activity (rnhAK60E) eliminates RNase HI foci. The mutation also produces a media-dependent slow-growth phenotype and an activated DNA damage response in cells lacking Rep helicase, which is an enzyme that disrupts stalled transcription complexes. RNA polymerase variants that are thought to increase or decrease R-loop accumulation enhance or suppress, respectively, the growth phenotype of rnhAK60E rep::kan strains. These results identify a cellular role for the RNase HI/SSB interaction in helping to clear R-loops that block DNA replication.

Oral administration of antibiotics increased the potential mobility of bacterial resistance genes in the gut of the fish Piaractus mesopotamicus

BACKGROUND

Aquaculture is on the rise worldwide, and the use of antibiotics is fostering higher production intensity. However, recent findings suggest that the use of antibiotics comes at the price of increased antibiotic resistance. Yet, the effect of the oral administration of antibiotics on the mobility of microbial resistance genes in the fish gut is not well understood. In the present study, Piaractus mesopotamicus was used as a model to evaluate the effect of the antimicrobial florfenicol on the diversity of the gut microbiome as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) using a metagenomic approach.

RESULTS

The total relative abundance of ARGs and MGEs significantly increased during the antibiotic exposure. Additionally, phage integrases, transposases, and transposons flanking ARGs accumulated in the gut microbiome of P. mesopotamicus because of the antibiotic exposure. MGEs co-occurring with ARGs showed a significant positive correlation with the total ARGs found. Furthermore, shifts in the gut microbiome towards well-known putative pathogens such as Salmonella, Plesiomonas, and Citrobacter were observed following florfenicol treatment. Mainly Plesiomonas and Citrobacter harbored genes that code for multidrug and phenicol efflux pumps. Moreover, several genes related to RNA processing and modification, cell motility, SOS response, and extracellular structure were enriched due to the antibiotic application. The observed effects were visible during the complete application phase and disappeared at the post-exposure phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the oral administration of antibiotics increases the potential for MGE-mediated exchange of ARGs in the gut of fish and could contribute to the enrichment and dispersion of ARGs in aquaculture systems. Importantly, this increase in the potential for ARGs exchange could be an effect of changes in community structure and/or ARG mobilization.

Evidence for up and down regulation of 450 genes by rpoB12 (rif) mutation and their implications in complexity of transcription modulation in Escherichia coli

Analyses of mutations in rpoB subunit of Escherichia coli that lead to resistance to rifampicin have been invaluable in providing insight into events during transcription continue to be discovered. Earlier we reported that rpoB12 suppresses over-expression of cps genes in Δlon mutant of E. coli, by interfering with the transcription of rcsA. Here we report Microarray based Transcriptome profile of Δlon and Δlon rpoB12 strains. The data analyses clearly reveal that rpoB12 mutation results in the differential expression of ∼450 genes. The transcription profiles of some of the genes namely, rcsA, gadE, csgD, bolA, ypdI, dnaJ, clpP, csrA and hdeA are significantly altered, particularly the genes implicated in virulence. Some of the phenotypic traits namely, biofilm formation, motility, curli synthesis and ability to withstand acidic stress in a lon⁺rpoB12 strain were assessed. The results clearly indicate that rpoB12 up-regulates biofilm formation and curli synthesis while it makes the cells sensitive for growth in acidic medium and inhibits motility almost completely. Furthermore, rpoB12 modulates the expression profile of a significant number of genes involved in stress responses, genes encoding small RNAs. Thus, this study reveals the versatile role of the rpoB12 mutation, especially its impact on the regulation of genes related to virulence and highlights its medical importance.

Interference of transcription across H-NS binding sites and repression by H-NS

Nucleoid-associated protein H-NS represses transcription by forming extended DNA-H-NS complexes. Repression by H-NS operates mostly at the level of transcription initiation. Less is known about how DNA-H-NS complexes interfere with transcription elongation. In vitro H-NS has been shown to enhance RNA polymerase pausing and to promote Rho-dependent termination, while in vivo inhibition of Rho resulted in a decrease of the genome occupancy by H-NS. Here we show that transcription directed across H-NS binding regions relieves H-NS (and H-NS/StpA) mediated repression of promoters in these regions. Further, we observed a correlation of transcription across the H-NS-bound region and de-repression. The data suggest that the transcribing RNA polymerase is able to remodel the H-NS complex and/or dislodge H-NS from the DNA and thus relieve repression. Such an interference of transcription and H-NS mediated repression may imply that poorly transcribed AT-rich loci are prone to be repressed by H-NS, while efficiently transcribed loci escape repression.

Selective alleviation of Mitomycin C sensitivity in lexA3 strains of Escherichia coli demands allele specificity of rif-nal mutations: a pivotal role for rpoB87-gyrA87 mutations

Very recently, we have reported about an unconventional mode of elicitation of Mitomycin C (MMC) specific resistance in lexA3 (SOS repair deficient) mutants due to a combination of Rif-Nal mutations (rpoB87-gyrA87). We have clearly shown that UvrB is mandatory for this unconventional MMC resistance in rpoB87-gyrA87-lexA3 strains and uvrB is expressed more even without DNA damage induction from its LexA dependent promoter despite the uncleavable LexA3 repressor. The rpoB87 allele is same as the rpoB3595 which is known to give rise to a fast moving RNA Polymerase and gyrA87 is a hitherto unreported Nal(R) allele. Thus, it is proposed that the RNA Polymerase with higher elongation rate with the mutant DNA Gyrase is able to overcome the repressional hurdle posed by LexA3 to express uvrB. In this study we have systematically analysed the effect of three other rpoB (rif) mutations-two known to give rise to fast moving RNAP (rpoB2 and rpoB111) and one to a slow moving RNAP (rpoB8) and four different alleles of gyrA Nal(R) mutations (gyrA199, gyrA247, gyrA250, gyrA259) isolated spontaneously, on elicitation of MMC resistance in lexA3 strains. Our results indicate that in order to acquire resistance to 0.5 µg/ml MMC cells require both rpoB87 and gyrA87 but resistance to 0.25 µg/ml of MMC can be brought about by either rpoB87, gyrA87, fast moving rpoB mutations or other nal mutations also. We have also depicted increased constitutive uvrB expression in strains carrying fast moving RNAP (rpoB2 and rpoB111) with gyrA87 and another nal mutation with rpoB87 and expression level in these strains is lesser than rpoB87-gyrA87 strain. These results evidently suggest an allele specific role for the rif-nal mutations to acquire MMC resistance in lexA3 strains via increased constitutive uvrB expression and a pivotal role for rpoB87-gyrA87 combination to elicit higher levels of resistance.

Evidence for involvement of UvrB in elicitation of 'SIR' phenotype by rpoB87-gyrA87 mutations in lexA3 mutant of Escherichia coli

An unconventional DNA repair termed SIR (SOS Independent Repair), specific to mitomycin C (MMC) damage elicited by a combination of specific Rif(R) (rpoB87) and Nal(R) (gyrA87) mutations in SOS un-inducible strains of Escherichia coli was reported by Kumaresan and Jayaraman (1988). We report here that the rpoB87 mutation defines a C(1565)→T(1565) transition changing S(522)→F(522) and gyrA87 defines a G(244)→A(244) transition changing D(82)→N(82). The reconstructed lexA3 rpoB87 gyrA87 strain (DM49RN) exhibited resistance to MMC but not to UV as expected. When mutations in several genes implicated in SOS/NER were introduced into DM49RN strain, uvrB mutation alone decreased the MMC resistance and suppressed SIR phenotype. This was alleviated about two fold by a plasmid clone bearing the uvrB(+) allele. Neither SulA activity as measured based on filamentation and sulA::gfp fluorescence analyses nor the transcript levels of sulA as seen based on RT-PCR analyses indicate a change in sulA expression in DM49RN strain. However, uvrB transcript levels are increased with or without MMC treatment in the same strain. While the presence of lexA3 allele in a plasmid clone was found to markedly decrease the MMC resistance of the DM49RN strain, the additional presence of uvrB(+) allele in the same clone alleviated the suppression of MMC resistance by lexA3 allele to a considerable extent. These results indicate the increased expression of uvrB in the DM49RN strain is probably from the LexA dependent promoter of uvrB. The sequence analyses of various uvrB mutants including those isolated in this study using localized mutagenesis indicate the involvement of the nucleotide phosphate binding domain (ATPase domain) and the ATP binding domain and/or the DNA binding domain of the UvrB protein in the MMC repair in DM49RN. The possible involvement of UvrB protein in the MMC damage repair in DM49RN strain in relation to DNA repair is discussed.

Replication-transcription conflicts in bacteria

DNA replication and transcription use the same template and occur concurrently in bacteria. The lack of temporal and spatial separation of these two processes leads to their conflict, and failure to deal with this conflict can result in genome alterations and reduced fitness. In recent years major advances have been made in understanding how cells avoid conflicts between replication and transcription and how such conflicts are resolved when they do occur. In this Review, we summarize these findings, which shed light on the significance of the problem and on how bacterial cells deal with unwanted encounters between the replication and transcription machineries.

Specific mutations in theMycobacterium tuberculosis rpoBgene are associated with increaseddnaE2expression

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), rifampicin resistance is almost invariably due to mutations in the rpoB gene, whose function is critical for cell viability. Most of these mutations, at least initially, impair the fitness of the bacteria but confer a selective advantage when antibiotic pressure is exerted. Subsequent adaptation may be critical to restore fitness. The possibility was considered that MTB with mutations in the rpoB gene elicits a constitutive stress response, increasing the probability of subsequent adaptation. In order to test this hypothesis, the expression of recA and dnaE2, an inducible putative error-prone DNA polymerase, was determined in six different isogenic laboratory-generated rpoB-mutants of MTB. Expression levels were determined with real-time PCR and the data obtained were compared with those of the wild-type parent. In four of the six rpoB mutants, a two- to fivefold induction of dnaE2 was detected (P<0.05). Thus, the presence of specific mutations in rpoB is not only associated with impaired fitness but also results in a detectable, moderate yet persistent increase in the expression of dnaE2 but not recA.

Host factor titration by chromosomal R-loops as a mechanism for runaway plasmid replication in transcription termination-defective mutants of Escherichia coli

Two Escherichia coli genes, rnhA and recG, encode products that disrupt R-loops by hydrolysis and unwinding, respectively. It is known that the propensity for R-loop formation in vivo is increased during growth at 21 degrees C. We have identified several links between rnhA, recG, and R-loop-dependent plasmid replication on the one hand, and genes rho and nusG involved in factor-dependent transcription termination on the other. A novel nusG-G146D mutation phenocopied a rho-A243E mutation in conferring global deficiency in transcription termination, and both mutants were killed at 21 degrees C following overexpression of rnhA(+). Mutant combinations rnhA-nusG or recG-rho were synthetically lethal at 21 degrees C, with the former being suppressed by recG(+) overexpression. rho and nusG mutants were killed following transformation with plasmids such as pACYC184 or pUC19 (which have R-loop replication intermediates) even at 30 degrees C or 37 degrees C, and the lethality was correlated with greatly increased content of supercoiled monomer species of these and other co-resident R-loop-dependent plasmids. Plasmid-mediated lethality in the mutants was suppressed by overexpression of rnhA(+) or recG(+). Two additional categories of trans-acting suppressors of the plasmid-mediated lethality were identified whose primary effects were, respectively, a reduction in plasmid copy number even in the wild-type strain, and a restoration of the proficiency of in vivo transcription termination in the nusG and rho mutant strains. The former category of suppressors included rom(+), and mutations in rpoB(Q513L), pcnB, and polA, whereas the latter included a mutation in rho (R221C) and several non-null mutations (E74K, L26P, and delta64-137) in the gene encoding the nucleoid protein H-NS. We propose that an increased occurrence of chromosomal R-loops in the rho and nusG mutants leads to titration of a cyloplasmic host factor(s) that negatively modulates the stability of plasmid R-loop replication intermediates and consequently to runaway plasmid replication.

Cloning of the cDNA encoding the large subunit of human RNase HI, a homologue of the prokaryotic RNase HII

Two RNases H of mammalian tissues have been described: RNase HI, the activity of which was found to rise during DNA replication, and RNase HII, which may be involved in transcription. RNase HI is the major mammalian enzyme representing around 85% of the total RNase H activity in the cell. By using highly purified calf thymus RNase HI we identified the sequences of several tryptic peptides. This information enabled us to determine the sequence of the cDNA coding for the large subunit of human RNase HI. The corresponding ORF of 897 nt defines a polypeptide of relative molecular mass of 33,367, which is in agreement with the molecular mass obtained earlier by SDS/PAGE. Expression of the cloned ORF in Escherichia coli leads to a polypeptide, which is specifically recognized by an antiserum raised against calf thymus RNase HI. Interestingly, the deduced amino acid sequence of this subunit of human RNase HI displays significant homology to RNase HII from E. coli, an enzyme of unknown function and previously judged as a minor activity. This finding suggests an evolutionary link between the mammalian RNases HI and the prokaryotic RNases HII. The idea of a mammalian RNase HI large subunit being a strongly conserved protein is substantiated by the existence of homologous ORFs in the genomes of other eukaryotes and of all eubacteria and archaebacteria that have been completely sequenced.

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.

Stable DNA replication: interplay between DNA replication, homologous recombination, and transcription

Chromosome replication in Escherichia coli is normally initiated at oriC, the origin of chromosome replication. E. coli cells possess at least three additional initiation systems for chromosome replication that are normally repressed but can be activated under certain specific conditions. These are termed the stable DNA replication systems. Inducible stable DNA replication (iSDR), which is activated by SOS induction, is proposed to be initiated from a D-loop, an early intermediate in homologous recombination. Thus, iSDR is a form of recombination-dependent DNA replication (RDR). Analysis of iSDR and RDR has led to the proposal that homologous recombination and double-strand break repair involve extensive semiconservative DNA replication. RDR is proposed to play crucial roles in homologous recombination, double-strand break repair, restoration of collapsed replication forks, and adaptive mutation. Constitutive stable DNA replication (cSDR) is activated in mhA mutants deficient in RNase HI or in recG mutants deficient in RecG helicase. cSDR is proposed to be initiated from an R-loop that can be formed by the invasion of duplex DNA by an RNA transcript, which most probably is catalyzed by RecA protein. The third form of SDR is nSDR, which can be transiently activated in wild-type cells when rapidly growing cells enter the stationary phase. This article describes the characteristics of these alternative DNA replication forms and reviews evidence that has led to the formulation of the proposed models for SDR initiation mechanisms. The possible interplay between DNA replication, homologous recombination, DNA repair, and transcription is explored.

Overexpression of RNase H partially complements the growth defect of an Escherichia coli delta topA mutant: R-loop formation is a major problem in the absence of DNA topoisomerase I

Previous biochemical studies have suggested a role for bacterial DNA topoisomerase (TOPO) I in the suppression of R-loop formation during transcription. In this report, we present several pieces of genetic evidence to support a model in which R-loop formation is dynamically regulated during transcription by activities of multiple DNA TOPOs and RNase H. In addition, our results suggest that events leading to the serious growth problems in the absence of DNA TOPO I are linked to R-loop formation. We show that the overexpression of RNase H, an enzyme that degrades the RNA moiety of an R loop, can partially compensate for the absence of DNA TOPO I. We also note that a defect in DNA gyrase can correct several phenotypes associated with a mutation in the rnhA gene, which encodes the major RNase H activity. In addition, we found that a combination of topA and rnhA mutations is lethal.

RecA, Tus protein and constitutive stable DNA replication in Escherichia coli rnhA mutants

Constitutive stable DNA replication (cSDR), which uniquely occurs in Escherichia coli rnhA mutants deficient in ribonuclease HI activity, requires RecA function. The recA428 mutation, which inactivates the recombinase activity but imparts a constitutive coprotease activity, blocks cSDR in rnhA mutants. The result indicates that the recombinase activity of RecA, which promotes homologous pairing and strand exchange, is essential for cSDR. Despite the requirement for RecA recombinase activity, mutations in recB, recD, recJ, ruvA and ruvC neither inhibit nor stimulate cSDR. It was proposed that the property of RecA essential for homologous pairing and strand exchange is uniquely required for initiation of cSDR in rnhA mutants without involving the homologous recombination process. The possibility that RecA protein is necessary to counteract the action of Tus protein, a contra-helicase which stalls replication forks in the ter region of the chromosome, was ruled out because introduction of the tus::kan mutation, which inactivates Tus protein, did not alleviate the RecA requirement for cSDR.