1
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Bin Hafeez A, Pełka K, Worobo R, Szweda P. In Silico Safety Assessment of Bacillus Isolated from Polish Bee Pollen and Bee Bread as Novel Probiotic Candidates. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:666. [PMID: 38203838 PMCID: PMC10780176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus species isolated from Polish bee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB) were characterized for in silico probiotic and safety attributes. A probiogenomics approach was used, and in-depth genomic analysis was performed using a wide array of bioinformatics tools to investigate the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance properties, mobile genetic elements, and secondary metabolites. Functional annotation and Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes (CAZYme) profiling revealed the presence of genes and a repertoire of probiotics properties promoting enzymes. The isolates BB10.1, BP20.15 (isolated from bee bread), and PY2.3 (isolated from bee pollen) genome mining revealed the presence of several genes encoding acid, heat, cold, and other stress tolerance mechanisms, adhesion proteins required to survive and colonize harsh gastrointestinal environments, enzymes involved in the metabolism of dietary molecules, antioxidant activity, and genes associated with the synthesis of vitamins. In addition, genes responsible for the production of biogenic amines (BAs) and D-/L-lactate, hemolytic activity, and other toxic compounds were also analyzed. Pan-genome analyses were performed with 180 Bacillus subtilis and 204 Bacillus velezensis genomes to mine for any novel genes present in the genomes of our isolates. Moreover, all three isolates also consisted of gene clusters encoding secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmer Bin Hafeez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.B.H.); (K.P.)
| | - Karolina Pełka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.B.H.); (K.P.)
| | - Randy Worobo
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
| | - Piotr Szweda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.B.H.); (K.P.)
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2
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Collins KM, Evans NJ, Torpey JH, Harris JM, Haynes BA, Camp AH, Isaacson RL. Structural Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Sigma Factors. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041077. [PMID: 37110501 PMCID: PMC10141391 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use an array of sigma factors to regulate gene expression during different stages of their life cycles. Full-length, atomic-level structures of sigma factors have been challenging to obtain experimentally as a result of their many regions of intrinsic disorder. AlphaFold has now supplied plausible full-length models for most sigma factors. Here we discuss the current understanding of the structures and functions of sigma factors in the model organism, Bacillus subtilis, and present an X-ray crystal structure of a region of B. subtilis SigE, a sigma factor that plays a critical role in the developmental process of spore formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Collins
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Nicola J Evans
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - James H Torpey
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Jonathon M Harris
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Bethany A Haynes
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Amy H Camp
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
| | - Rivka L Isaacson
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK
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3
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Butt AT, Banyard CD, Haldipurkar SS, Agnoli K, Mohsin M, Vitovski S, Paleja A, Tang Y, Lomax R, Ye F, Green J, Thomas M. OUP accepted manuscript. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3709-3726. [PMID: 35234897 PMCID: PMC9023288 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe infections of the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. To acquire iron, B. cenocepacia secretes the Fe(III)-binding compound, ornibactin. Genes for synthesis and utilisation of ornibactin are served by the iron starvation (IS) extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor, OrbS. Transcription of orbS is regulated in response to the prevailing iron concentration by the ferric uptake regulator (Fur), such that orbS expression is repressed under iron-sufficient conditions. Here we show that, in addition to Fur-mediated regulation of orbS, the OrbS protein itself responds to intracellular iron availability. Substitution of cysteine residues in the C-terminal region of OrbS diminished the ability to respond to Fe(II) in vivo. Accordingly, whilst Fe(II) impaired transcription from and recognition of OrbS-dependent promoters in vitro by inhibiting the binding of OrbS to core RNA polymerase (RNAP), the cysteine-substituted OrbS variant was less responsive to Fe(II). Thus, the cysteine residues within the C-terminal region of OrbS contribute to an iron-sensing motif that serves as an on-board ‘anti-σ factor’ in the presence of Fe(II). A model to account for the presence two regulators (Fur and OrbS) that respond to the same intracellular Fe(II) signal to control ornibactin synthesis and utilisation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Butt
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Christopher D Banyard
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Sayali S Haldipurkar
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Kirsty Agnoli
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Muslim I Mohsin
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Srdjan Vitovski
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Ameya Paleja
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Yingzhi Tang
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Rebecca Lomax
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Fuzhou Ye
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jeffrey Green
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Jeffrey Green. Tel: +44 114 222 4403; Fax: +44 114 222 2800;
| | - Mark S Thomas
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44 114 215 9557; Fax: +44 114 271 1863;
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4
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Cell Envelope Stress Response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:147-184. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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5
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Willdigg JR, Helmann JD. Mini Review: Bacterial Membrane Composition and Its Modulation in Response to Stress. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:634438. [PMID: 34046426 PMCID: PMC8144471 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.634438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics and other agents that perturb the synthesis or integrity of the bacterial cell envelope trigger compensatory stress responses. Focusing on Bacillus subtilis as a model system, this mini-review summarizes current views of membrane structure and insights into how cell envelope stress responses remodel and protect the membrane. Altering the composition and properties of the membrane and its associated proteome can protect cells against detergents, antimicrobial peptides, and pore-forming compounds while also, indirectly, contributing to resistance against compounds that affect cell wall synthesis. Many of these regulatory responses are broadly conserved, even where the details of regulation may differ, and can be important in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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6
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de Dios R, Santero E, Reyes-Ramírez F. Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factors as Tools for Coordinating Stress Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083900. [PMID: 33918849 PMCID: PMC8103513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacterial core RNA polymerase (RNAP) to interact with different σ factors, thereby forming a variety of holoenzymes with different specificities, represents a powerful tool to coordinately reprogram gene expression. Extracytoplasmic function σ factors (ECFs), which are the largest and most diverse family of alternative σ factors, frequently participate in stress responses. The classification of ECFs in 157 different groups according to their phylogenetic relationships and genomic context has revealed their diversity. Here, we have clustered 55 ECF groups with experimentally studied representatives into two broad classes of stress responses. The remaining 102 groups still lack any mechanistic or functional insight, representing a myriad of systems yet to explore. In this work, we review the main features of ECFs and discuss the different mechanisms controlling their production and activity, and how they lead to a functional stress response. Finally, we focus in more detail on two well-characterized ECFs, for which the mechanisms to detect and respond to stress are complex and completely different: Escherichia coli RpoE, which is the best characterized ECF and whose structural and functional studies have provided key insights into the transcription initiation by ECF-RNAP holoenzymes, and the ECF15-type EcfG, the master regulator of the general stress response in Alphaproteobacteria.
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7
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Willdigg JR, Helmann JD. Mini Review: Bacterial Membrane Composition and Its Modulation in Response to Stress. Front Mol Biosci 2021. [PMID: 34046426 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.634438/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics and other agents that perturb the synthesis or integrity of the bacterial cell envelope trigger compensatory stress responses. Focusing on Bacillus subtilis as a model system, this mini-review summarizes current views of membrane structure and insights into how cell envelope stress responses remodel and protect the membrane. Altering the composition and properties of the membrane and its associated proteome can protect cells against detergents, antimicrobial peptides, and pore-forming compounds while also, indirectly, contributing to resistance against compounds that affect cell wall synthesis. Many of these regulatory responses are broadly conserved, even where the details of regulation may differ, and can be important in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Willdigg
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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8
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Nilsson JF, Castellani LG, Draghi WO, Mogro EG, Wibberg D, Winkler A, Hansen LH, Schlüter A, Pühler A, Kalinowski J, Torres Tejerizo GA, Pistorio M. Global transcriptome analysis of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83 in response to acid stress. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 97:5998221. [PMID: 33220679 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidic environments naturally occur worldwide and inappropriate agricultural management may also cause acidification of soils. Low soil pH values are an important barrier in the plant-rhizobia interaction. Acidic conditions disturb the establishment of the efficient rhizobia usually used as biofertilizer. This negative effect on the rhizobia-legume symbiosis is mainly due to the low acid tolerance of the bacteria. Here, we describe the identification of relevant factors in the acid tolerance of Rhizobium favelukesii using transcriptome sequencing. A total of 1924 genes were differentially expressed under acidic conditions, with ∼60% underexpressed. Rhizobium favelukesii acid response mainly includes changes in the energy metabolism and protein turnover, as well as a combination of mechanisms that may contribute to this phenotype, including GABA and histidine metabolism, cell envelope modifications and reverse proton efflux. We confirmed the acid-sensitive phenotype of a mutant in the braD gene, which showed higher expression under acid stress. Remarkably, 60% of the coding sequences encoded in the symbiotic plasmid were underexpressed and we evidenced that a strain cured for this plasmid featured an improved performance under acidic conditions. Hence, this work provides relevant information in the characterization of genes associated with tolerance or adaptation to acidic stress of R. favelukesii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet F Nilsson
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lucas G Castellani
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Walter O Draghi
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel G Mogro
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anika Winkler
- CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - L H Hansen
- Section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Alfred Pühler
- CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Gonzalo A Torres Tejerizo
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mariano Pistorio
- IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-La Plata, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 49 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
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9
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Autonomous and Assisted Control for Synthetic Microbiology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239223. [PMID: 33287299 PMCID: PMC7731081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of microbes and microbial consortia to achieve specific functions requires synthetic circuits that can reliably cope with internal and external perturbations. Circuits that naturally evolved to regulate biological functions are frequently robust to alterations in their parameters. As the complexity of synthetic circuits increases, synthetic biologists need to implement such robust control "by design". This is especially true for intercellular signaling circuits for synthetic consortia, where robustness is highly desirable, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Cybergenetics, the interface between synthetic biology and control theory, offers two approaches to this challenge: external (computer-aided) and internal (autonomous) control. Here, we review natural and synthetic microbial systems with robustness, and outline experimental approaches to implement such robust control in microbial consortia through population-level cybergenetics. We propose that harnessing natural intercellular circuit topologies with robust evolved functions can help to achieve similar robust control in synthetic intercellular circuits. A "hybrid biology" approach, where robust synthetic microbes interact with natural consortia and-additionally-with external computers, could become a useful tool for health and environmental applications.
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10
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Diverse and unified mechanisms of transcription initiation in bacteria. Nat Rev Microbiol 2020; 19:95-109. [PMID: 33122819 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-00450-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transcription of DNA is a fundamental process in all cellular organisms. The enzyme responsible for transcription, RNA polymerase, is conserved in general architecture and catalytic function across the three domains of life. Diverse mechanisms are used among and within the different branches to regulate transcription initiation. Mechanistic studies of transcription initiation in bacteria are especially amenable because the promoter recognition and melting steps are much less complicated than in eukaryotes or archaea. Also, bacteria have critical roles in human health as pathogens and commensals, and the bacterial RNA polymerase is a proven target for antibiotics. Recent biophysical studies of RNA polymerases and their inhibition, as well as transcription initiation and transcription factors, have detailed the mechanisms of transcription initiation in phylogenetically diverse bacteria, inspiring this Review to examine unifying and diverse themes in this process.
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11
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Casas-Pastor D, Diehl A, Fritz G. Coevolutionary Analysis Reveals a Conserved Dual Binding Interface between Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factors and Class I Anti-σ Factors. mSystems 2020; 5:e00310-20. [PMID: 32753504 PMCID: PMC7406223 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00310-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracytoplasmic function σ factors (ECFs) belong to the most abundant signal transduction mechanisms in bacteria. Among the diverse regulators of ECF activity, class I anti-σ factors are the most important signal transducers in response to internal and external stress conditions. Despite the conserved secondary structure of the class I anti-σ factor domain (ASDI) that binds and inhibits the ECF under noninducing conditions, the binding interface between ECFs and ASDIs is surprisingly variable between the published cocrystal structures. In this work, we provide a comprehensive computational analysis of the ASDI protein family and study the different contact themes between ECFs and ASDIs. To this end, we harness the coevolution of these diverse protein families and predict covarying amino acid residues as likely candidates of an interaction interface. As a result, we find two common binding interfaces linking the first alpha-helix of the ASDI to the DNA-binding region in the σ4 domain of the ECF, and the fourth alpha-helix of the ASDI to the RNA polymerase (RNAP)-binding region of the σ2 domain. The conservation of these two binding interfaces contrasts with the apparent quaternary structure diversity of the ECF/ASDI complexes, partially explaining the high specificity between cognate ECF and ASDI pairs. Furthermore, we suggest that the dual inhibition of RNAP- and DNA-binding interfaces is likely a universal feature of other ECF anti-σ factors, preventing the formation of nonfunctional trimeric complexes between σ/anti-σ factors and RNAP or DNA.IMPORTANCE In the bacterial world, extracytoplasmic function σ factors (ECFs) are the most widespread family of alternative σ factors, mediating many cellular responses to environmental cues, such as stress. This work uses a computational approach to investigate how these σ factors interact with class I anti-σ factors-the most abundant regulators of ECF activity. By comprehensively classifying the anti-σs into phylogenetic groups and by comparing this phylogeny to the one of the cognate ECFs, the study shows how these protein families have coevolved to maintain their interaction over evolutionary time. These results shed light on the common contact residues that link ECFs and anti-σs in different phylogenetic families and set the basis for the rational design of anti-σs to specifically target certain ECFs. This will help to prevent the cross talk between heterologous ECF/anti-σ pairs, allowing their use as orthogonal regulators for the construction of genetic circuits in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Casas-Pastor
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Diehl
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Georg Fritz
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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12
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Structural analysis of the recognition of the -35 promoter element by SigW from Bacillus subtilis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221666. [PMID: 31461489 PMCID: PMC6713349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma factors are key proteins that mediate the recruitment of RNA polymerase to the promoter regions of genes, for the initiation of bacterial transcription. Multiple sigma factors in a bacterium selectively recognize their cognate promoter sequences, thereby inducing the expression of their own regulons. In this paper, we report the crystal structure of the σ4 domain of Bacillus subtilis SigW bound to the -35 promoter element. Purine-specific hydrogen bonds of the -35 promoter element with the recognition helix α9 of the σ4 domain occurs at three nucleotides of the consensus sequence (G-35, A-34, and G’-31 in G-35A-34A-33A-32C-31C-30T-29). The hydrogen bonds of the backbone with the α7 and α8 of the σ4 domain occurs at G’-30. These results elucidate the structural basis of the selective recognition of the promoter by SigW. In addition, comparison of SigW structures complexed with the -35 promoter element or with anti-sigma RsiW reveals that DNA recognition and anti-sigma factor binding of SigW are mutually exclusive.
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13
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Schumacher MA, Bush MJ, Bibb MJ, Ramos-León F, Chandra G, Zeng W, Buttner MJ. The crystal structure of the RsbN-σBldN complex from Streptomyces venezuelae defines a new structural class of anti-σ factor. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:7405-7417. [PMID: 29905823 PMCID: PMC6101532 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces are filamentous bacteria with a complex developmental life cycle characterized by the formation of spore-forming aerial hyphae. Transcription of the chaplin and rodlin genes, which are essential for aerial hyphae production, is directed by the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor BldN, which is in turn controlled by an anti-σ factor, RsbN. RsbN shows no sequence similarity to known anti-σ factors and binds and inhibits BldN in an unknown manner. Here we describe the 2.23 Å structure of the RsbN–BldN complex. The structure shows that BldN harbors σ2 and σ4 domains that are individually similar to other ECF σ domains, which bind −10 and −35 promoter regions, respectively. The anti-σ RsbN consists of three helices, with α3 forming a long helix embraced between BldN σ2 and σ4 while RsbN α1–α2 dock against σ4 in a manner that would block −35 DNA binding. RsbN binding also freezes BldN in a conformation inactive for simultaneous −10 and −35 promoter interaction and RNAP binding. Strikingly, RsbN is structurally distinct from previously solved anti-σ proteins. Thus, these data characterize the molecular determinants controlling a central Streptomyces developmental switch and reveal RsbN to be the founding member of a new structural class of anti-σ factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Matthew J Bush
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Maureen J Bibb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Félix Ramos-León
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Govind Chandra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Wenjie Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mark J Buttner
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
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14
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Moraleda-Muñoz A, Marcos-Torres FJ, Pérez J, Muñoz-Dorado J. Metal-responsive RNA polymerase extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:385-398. [PMID: 31187912 PMCID: PMC6851896 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In order to survive, bacteria must adapt to multiple fluctuations in their environment, including coping with changes in metal concentrations. Many metals are essential for viability, since they act as cofactors of indispensable enzymes. But on the other hand, they are potentially toxic because they generate reactive oxygen species or displace other metals from proteins, turning them inactive. This dual effect of metals forces cells to maintain homeostasis using a variety of systems to import and export them. These systems are usually inducible, and their expression is regulated by metal sensors and signal‐transduction mechanisms, one of which is mediated by extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors. In this review, we have focused on the metal‐responsive ECF sigma factors, several of which are activated by iron depletion (FecI, FpvI and PvdS), while others are activated by excess of metals such as nickel and cobalt (CnrH), copper (CarQ and CorE) or cadmium and zinc (CorE2). We focus particularly on their physiological roles, mechanisms of action and signal transduction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Moraleda-Muñoz
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, E-18071, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Marcos-Torres
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, E-18071, Spain.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 24, Sweden
| | - Juana Pérez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, E-18071, Spain
| | - José Muñoz-Dorado
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, E-18071, Spain
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15
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Inniss NL, Prehna G, Morrison DA. The pneumococcal σ X activator, ComW, is a DNA-binding protein critical for natural transformation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11101-11118. [PMID: 31160340 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural genetic transformation via horizontal gene transfer enables rapid adaptation to dynamic environments and contributes to both antibiotic resistance and vaccine evasion among bacterial populations. In Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), transformation occurs when cells enter competence, a transient state in which cells express the competence master regulator, SigX (σΧ), an alternative σ factor (σ), and a competence co-regulator, ComW. Together, ComW and σX facilitate expression of the genes required for DNA uptake and genetic recombination. SigX activity depends on ComW, as ΔcomW cells transcribe late genes and transform at levels 10- and 10,000-fold below that of WT cells, respectively. Previous findings suggest that ComW functions during assembly of the RNA polymerase-σX holoenzyme to help promote transcription from σX-targeted promoters. However, it remains unknown how ComW facilitates holoenzyme assembly. As ComW seems to be unique to Gram-positive cocci and has no sequence similarity with known transcriptional activators, here we used Rosetta to generate an ab initio model of pneumococcal ComW's 3D-structure. Using this model as a basis for further biochemical, biophysical, and genetic investigations into the molecular features important for its function, we report that ComW is a predicted globular protein and that it interacts with DNA, independently of DNA sequence. We also identified conserved motifs in ComW and show that key residues in these motifs contribute to DNA binding. Lastly, we provide evidence that ComW's DNA-binding activity is important for transformation in pneumococcus. Our findings begin to fill the gaps in understanding how ComW regulates σΧ activity during bacterial natural transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Inniss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
| | - Gerd Prehna
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Donald A Morrison
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
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16
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Casas Garcia GP, Perugini MA, Lamont IL, Maher MJ. The purification of the σ FpvI/FpvR 20 and σ PvdS/FpvR 20 protein complexes is facilitated at room temperature. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 160:11-18. [PMID: 30878602 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria contain sigma (σ) factors that control gene expression in response to various environmental stimuli. The alternative sigma factors σFpvI and σPvdS bind specifically to the antisigma factor FpvR. These proteins are an essential component of the pyoverdine-based system for iron uptake in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Due to the uniqueness of this system, where the activities of both the σFpvI and σPvdS sigma factors are regulated by the same antisigma factor, the interactions between the antisigma protein FpvR20 and the σFpvI and σPvdS proteins have been widely studied in vivo. However, difficulties in obtaining soluble, recombinant preparations of the σFpvI and σPvdS proteins have limited their biochemical and structural characterizations. In this study, we describe a purification protocol that resulted in the production of soluble, recombinant His6-σFpvI/FpvR1-67, His6-σFpvI/FpvR1-89, His6-σPvdS/FpvR1-67 and His6-σPvdS/FpvR1-89 protein complexes (where FpvR1-67 and FpvR1-89 are truncated versions of FpvR20) at high purities and concentrations, appropriate for biophysical analyses by circular dichroism spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation. These results showed the proteins to be folded in solution and led to the determination of the affinities of the protein-protein interactions within the His6-σFpvI/FpvR1-67 and His6-σPvdS/FpvR1-67 complexes. A comparison of these values with those previously reported for the His6-σFpvI/FpvR1-89 and His6-σPvdS/FpvR1-89 complexes is made.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Patricia Casas Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew A Perugini
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iain L Lamont
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Megan J Maher
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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Anti-σ factor YlaD regulates transcriptional activity of σ factor YlaC and sporulation via manganese-dependent redox-sensing molecular switch in Bacillus subtilis. Biochem J 2018; 475:2127-2151. [PMID: 29760236 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
YlaD, a membrane-anchored anti-sigma (σ) factor of Bacillus subtilis, contains a HX3CXXC motif that functions as a redox-sensing domain and belongs to one of the zinc (Zn)-co-ordinated anti-σ factor families. Despite previously showing that the YlaC transcription is controlled by YlaD, experimental evidence of how the YlaC-YlaD interaction is affected by active cysteines and/or metal ions is lacking. Here, we showed that the P yla promoter is autoregulated solely by YlaC. Moreover, reduced YlaD contained Zn and iron, while oxidized YlaD did not. Cysteine substitution in YlaD led to changes in its secondary structure; Cys3 had important structural functions in YlaD, and its mutation caused dissociation from YlaC, indicating the essential requirement of a HX3CXXC motif for regulating interactions of YlaC with YlaD. Analyses of the far-UV CD spectrum and metal content revealed that the addition of Mn ions to Zn-YlaD changed its secondary structure and that iron was substituted for manganese (Mn). The ylaC gene expression using βGlu activity from P yla :gusA was observed at the late-exponential and early-stationary phase, and the ylaC-overexpressing mutant constitutively expressed gene transcripts of clpP and sigH, an important alternative σ factor regulated by ClpXP. Collectively, our data demonstrated that YlaD senses redox changes and elicits increase in Mn ion concentrations and that, in turn, YlaD-mediated transcriptional activity of YlaC regulates sporulation initiation under oxidative stress and Mn-substituted conditions by regulating clpP gene transcripts. This is the first report of the involvement of oxidative stress-responsive B. subtilis extracytoplasmic function σ factors during sporulation via a Mn-dependent redox-sensing molecular switch.
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18
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Asai K. Anti-sigma factor-mediated cell surface stress responses in Bacillus subtilis. Genes Genet Syst 2018; 92:223-234. [PMID: 29343670 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.17-00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins belonging to the sigma factor family in eubacteria initiate transcription by associating with RNA polymerase. A subfamily, the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors, which form a widely distributed bacterial signal transduction system comprising a sigma factor and a cognate membrane-embedded anti-sigma factor, regulates genes in response to stressors that threaten cell envelope integrity including the cell wall and membrane. The Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis provides a valuable model for investigation of the ECF sigma factors. This review focuses on the function and regulation of ECF sigma factors in B. subtilis, in which anti-sigma factors play a role in connecting an external stimulus with gene regulation. As representative examples, the regulon and regulatory mechanism of σW are closely associated with membrane-active stressors, whereas σM is strongly induced by conditions that impair peptidoglycan synthesis. These studies demonstrate that the mechanisms of ECF-dependent signaling are divergent and constitute a multi-layered hierarchy, and provide useful insights into the elucidation of unknown mechanisms related to ECF sigma factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Asai
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture
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19
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Sineva E, Savkina M, Ades SE. Themes and variations in gene regulation by extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 36:128-137. [PMID: 28575802 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The ECF sigma family was identified 23 years ago as a distinct group of σ70-like factors. ECF sigma factors have since emerged as a major form of bacterial signal transduction that can be grouped into over 50 phylogenetically distinct subfamilies. Advances in our understanding of these sigma factors and the signaling pathways governing their activity have elucidated conserved features as well as aspects that have evolved over time. All ECF sigma factors are predicted to share a common streamlined domain structure and mode of promoter interaction. The activity of most ECF sigma factors is controlled by an anti-sigma factor. The nature of the anti-sigma factor and the activating signaling pathways appear to be conserved within ECF families, while considerable diversity exists between different families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sineva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 408 Althouse Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Maria Savkina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 408 Althouse Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sarah E Ades
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 408 Althouse Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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