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Petrova O, Semenova E, Parfirova O, Tsers I, Gogoleva N, Gogolev Y, Nikolaichik Y, Gorshkov V. RpoS-Regulated Genes and Phenotypes in the Phytopathogenic Bacterium Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17348. [PMID: 38139177 PMCID: PMC10743746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The alternative sigma factor RpoS is considered to be one of the major regulators providing stress resistance and cross-protection in bacteria. In phytopathogenic bacteria, the effects of RpoS have not been analyzed with regard to cross-protection, and genes whose expression is directly or indirectly controlled by RpoS have not been determined at the whole-transcriptome level. Our study aimed to determine RpoS-regulated genes and phenotypes in the phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Knockout of the rpoS gene in P. atrosepticum affected the long-term starvation response, cross-protection, and virulence toward plants with enhanced immune status. The whole-transcriptome profiles of the wild-type P. atrosepticum strain and its ΔrpoS mutant were compared under different experimental conditions, and functional gene groups whose expression was affected by RpoS were determined. The RpoS promoter motif was inferred within the promoter regions of the genes affected by rpoS deletion, and the P. atrosepticum RpoS regulon was predicted. Based on RpoS-controlled phenotypes, transcriptome profiles, and RpoS regulon composition, the regulatory role of RpoS in P. atrosepticum is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Petrova
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Elizaveta Semenova
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Olga Parfirova
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Ivan Tsers
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Natalia Gogoleva
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Yuri Gogolev
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Yevgeny Nikolaichik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, 220030 Minsk, Belarus;
| | - Vladimir Gorshkov
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 420111 Kazan, Russia; (O.P.); (E.S.); (O.P.); (I.T.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
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Metcalfe GD, Smith TW, Hippler M. Advanced spectroscopic analysis and 15N-isotopic labelling study of nitrate and nitrite reduction to ammonia and nitrous oxide by E. coli. Analyst 2021; 146:7021-7033. [PMID: 34693414 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01261d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nitrate and nitrite reduction to ammonia and nitrous oxide by anaerobic E. coli batch cultures is investigated by advanced spectroscopic analytical techniques with 15N-isotopic labelling. Non-invasive, in situ analysis of the headspace is achieved using White cell FTIR and cavity-enhanced Raman (CERS) spectroscopies alongside liquid-phase Raman spectroscopy. For gas-phase analysis, White cell FTIR measures CO2, ethanol and N2O while CERS allows H2, N2 and O2 monitoring. The 6 m pathlength White cell affords trace gas detection of N2O with a noise equivalent detection limit of 60 nbar or 60 ppbv in 1 atm. Quantitative analysis is discussed for all four 14N/15N-isotopomers of N2O. Monobasic and dibasic phosphates, acetate, formate, glucose and NO3- concentrations are obtained by liquid-phase Raman spectroscopy, with a noise equivalent detection limit of 0.6 mM for NO3- at 300 s integration time. Concentrations of the phosphate anions are used to calculate the pH in situ using a modified Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. NO2- concentrations are determined by sampling for colorimetric analysis and NH4+ by basifying samples to release 14N/15N-isotopomers of NH3 for measurement in a second FTIR White cell. The reductions of 15NO3-, 15NO2-, and mixed 15NO3- and 14NO2- by anaerobic E. coli batch cultures are discussed. In a major pathway, NO3- is reduced to NH4+via NO2-, with the bulk of NO2- reduction occurring after NO3- depletion. Using isotopically labelled 15NO3-, 15NH4+ production is distinguished from background 14NH4+ in the growth medium. In a minor pathway, NO2- is reduced to N2O via the toxic radical NO. With excellent detection sensitivities, N2O serves as a monitor for trace NO2- reduction, even when cells are predominantly reducing NO3-. The analysis of N2O isotopomers reveals that for cultures supplemented with mixed 15NO3- and 14NO2- enzymatic activity to reduce 14NO2- occurs immediately, even before 15NO3- reduction begins. Optical density and pH measurements are discussed in the context of acetate, formate and CO2 production. H2 production is repressed by NO3-; but in experiments with NO2- supplementation only, CERS detects H2 produced by formate disproportionation after NO2- depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Metcalfe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK.
| | - Thomas W Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK. .,School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Michael Hippler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK.
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Phenn J, Pané-Farré J, Meukow N, Klein A, Troitzsch A, Tan P, Fuchs S, Wagner GE, Lichtenegger S, Steinmetz I, Kohler C. RegAB Homolog of Burkholderia pseudomallei is the Master Regulator of Redox Control and involved in Virulence. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009604. [PMID: 34048488 PMCID: PMC8191878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiological agent of melioidosis in humans and animals, often occupies environmental niches and infection sites characterized by limited concentrations of oxygen. Versatile genomic features enable this pathogen to maintain its physiology and virulence under hypoxia, but the crucial regulatory networks employed to switch from oxygen dependent respiration to alternative terminal electron acceptors (TEA) like nitrate, remains poorly understood. Here, we combined a Tn5 transposon mutagenesis screen and an anaerobic growth screen to identify a two-component signal transduction system with homology to RegAB. We show that RegAB is not only essential for anaerobic growth, but also for full virulence in cell lines and a mouse infection model. Further investigations of the RegAB regulon, using a global transcriptomic approach, identified 20 additional regulators under transcriptional control of RegAB, indicating a superordinate role of RegAB in the B. pseudomallei anaerobiosis regulatory network. Of the 20 identified regulators, NarX/L and a FNR homolog were selected for further analyses and a role in adaptation to anaerobic conditions was demonstrated. Growth experiments identified nitrate and intermediates of the denitrification process as the likely signal activateing RegAB, NarX/L, and probably of the downstream regulators Dnr or NsrR homologs. While deletions of individual genes involved in the denitrification process demonstrated their important role in anaerobic fitness, they showed no effect on virulence. This further highlights the central role of RegAB as the master regulator of anaerobic metabolism in B. pseudomallei and that the complete RegAB-mediated response is required to achieve full virulence. In summary, our analysis of the RegAB-dependent modulon and its interconnected regulons revealed a key role for RegAB of B. pseudomallei in the coordination of the response to hypoxic conditions and virulence, in the environment and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Phenn
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Pané-Farré
- SYNMIKRO Research Center and Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nikolai Meukow
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Annelie Klein
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Troitzsch
- Department for Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Patrick Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- FG13 Nosocomial Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistances, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Gabriel E Wagner
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sabine Lichtenegger
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ivo Steinmetz
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Kohler
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Zhong Q, Kobe B, Kappler U. Molybdenum Enzymes and How They Support Virulence in Pathogenic Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:615860. [PMID: 33362753 PMCID: PMC7759655 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.615860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mononuclear molybdoenzymes are highly versatile catalysts that occur in organisms in all domains of life, where they mediate essential cellular functions such as energy generation and detoxification reactions. Molybdoenzymes are particularly abundant in bacteria, where over 50 distinct types of enzymes have been identified to date. In bacterial pathogens, all aspects of molybdoenzyme biology such as molybdate uptake, cofactor biosynthesis, and function of the enzymes themselves, have been shown to affect fitness in the host as well as virulence. Although current studies are mostly focused on a few key pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, some common themes for the function and adaptation of the molybdoenzymes to pathogen environmental niches are emerging. Firstly, for many of these enzymes, their role is in supporting bacterial energy generation; and the corresponding pathogen fitness and virulence defects appear to arise from a suboptimally poised metabolic network. Secondly, all substrates converted by virulence-relevant bacterial Mo enzymes belong to classes known to be generated in the host either during inflammation or as part of the host signaling network, with some enzyme groups showing adaptation to the increased conversion of such substrates. Lastly, a specific adaptation to bacterial in-host survival is an emerging link between the regulation of molybdoenzyme expression in bacterial pathogens and the presence of immune system-generated reactive oxygen species. The prevalence of molybdoenzymes in key bacterial pathogens including ESKAPE pathogens, paired with the mounting evidence of their central roles in bacterial fitness during infection, suggest that they could be important future drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifeng Zhong
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ulrike Kappler
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Leimkühler S. The biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactors in Escherichia coli. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:2007-2026. [PMID: 32239579 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is highly conserved among all kingdoms of life. In all molybdoenzymes containing Moco, the molybdenum atom is coordinated to a dithiolene group present in the pterin-based 6-alkyl side chain of molybdopterin (MPT). In general, the biosynthesis of Moco can be divided into four steps in in bacteria: (i) the starting point is the formation of the cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP) from 5'-GTP, (ii) in the second step the two sulfur atoms are inserted into cPMP leading to the formation of MPT, (iii) in the third step the molybdenum atom is inserted into MPT to form Moco and (iv) in the fourth step bis-Mo-MPT is formed and an additional modification of Moco is possible with the attachment of a nucleotide (CMP or GMP) to the phosphate group of MPT, forming the dinucleotide variants of Moco. This review presents an update on the well-characterized Moco biosynthesis in the model organism Escherichia coli including novel discoveries from the recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Leimkühler
- Department of Molecular Enzymology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Ye C, Lin H, Zhang M, Chen S, Yu X. Characterization and potential mechanisms of highly antibiotic tolerant VBNC Escherichia coli induced by low level chlorination. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1957. [PMID: 32029755 PMCID: PMC7005040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is an important pathogenic indicator in drinking water. Viable but non-culturable (VBNC) E. coli induced by low level chlorination was found to have higher antibiotic tolerance. The emerging of VBNC bacteria in drinking water systems is posing challenges to the control of bio-safety. It is necessary to study the underlying mechanisms of VBNC state E. coli under actual residual chlorine condition of drinking water pipe network. In this study, we investigated the changes of morphology and gene expressions that might present such state. The results indicated that the size of VBNC E. coli was not remarkably changed or recovered culturability under favorable environmental conditions. Results from transcriptomic analysis revealed that the regulated genes related to fimbrial-like adhesin protein, putative periplasmic pilin chaperone, regulators of the transcriptional regulation, antibiotic resistance genes and stress-induced genes, rendering VBNC cells more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions. In total of 16 genes were significantly up-regulated under the VBNC state, including three genes encoding toxic protein (ygeG, ibsD, shoB), indicating that VBNC E. coil was still a threat to human. The work is of great relevance in the context of better understanding this poorly understood physiological state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsong Ye
- College of the Environment&Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Huirong Lin
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Menglu Zhang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment&Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China. .,Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Torrez Lamberti MF, Ballesteros MF, López FE, Pescaretti MDLM, Delgado MA. RcsB-dependent effects on nar operon regulation during the aerobic growth of Salmonella Typhimurium. Biochimie 2019; 167:152-161. [PMID: 31563538 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.09.014] [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: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular pathogen Salmonella is an important cause of human foodborne diseases worldwide. Salmonella takes advantage of the phosphorelay regulatory systems to survive in the hostile environment of the host's gastrointestinal tract. It has been reported that the nitrate reductase Z (NR-Z), encoded by the narUZYV operon, is required during Salmonella transition to anaerobic environments and is constitutively produced at low levels, but little is known about the regulatory mechanism involved in the operon gene expression. In this work, we found that the RcsCDB system is activated by high concentrations of specific sugars as a carbon source. In this activation state, the RcsCDB system participates in the negative control of narUZYWV expression. This control strategy occurs during exponential growth when the carbon source is high, allowing for normal aerobic respiration. The RcsCDB system's participation in aerobic respiration is necessary to ensure efficient metabolism and optimal energy consumption when the bacteria are growing exponentially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica F Torrez Lamberti
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, And Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Ballesteros
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, And Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Fabián E López
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, And Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Chilecito (UNdeC), 9 de Julio 22, F5360CKB, Chilecito, La Rioja, Argentina
| | - María de Las Mercedes Pescaretti
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, And Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
| | - Mónica A Delgado
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, And Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
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The Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiratory Chain of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica: Enzymes and Energetics. EcoSal Plus 2015; 6. [PMID: 26442941 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0005-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli contains a versatile respiratory chain that oxidizes 10 different electron donor substrates and transfers the electrons to terminal reductases or oxidases for the reduction of six different electron acceptors. Salmonella is able to use two more electron acceptors. The variation is further increased by the presence of isoenzymes for some substrates. A large number of respiratory pathways can be established by combining different electron donors and acceptors. The respiratory dehydrogenases use quinones as the electron acceptors that are oxidized by the terminal reductase and oxidases. The enzymes vary largely with respect to their composition, architecture, membrane topology, and the mode of energy conservation. Most of the energy-conserving dehydrogenases (FdnGHI, HyaABC, HybCOAB, and others) and the terminal reductases (CydAB, NarGHI, and others) form a proton potential (Δp) by a redox-loop mechanism. Two enzymes (NuoA-N and CyoABCD) couple the redox energy to proton translocation by proton pumping. A large number of dehydrogenases and terminal reductases do not conserve the redox energy in a proton potential. For most of the respiratory enzymes, the mechanism of proton potential generation is known or can be predicted. The H+/2e- ratios for most respiratory chains are in the range from 2 to 6 H+/2e-. The energetics of the individual redox reactions and the respiratory chains is described and related to the H+/2e- ratios.
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Mauffrey F, Martineau C, Villemur R. Importance of the Two Dissimilatory (Nar) Nitrate Reductases in the Growth and Nitrate Reduction of the Methylotrophic Marine Bacterium Methylophaga nitratireducenticrescens JAM1. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1475. [PMID: 26733997 PMCID: PMC4689864 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylophaga nitratireducenticrescens JAM1 is the only reported Methylophaga species capable of growing under anaerobic conditions with nitrate as electron acceptor. Its genome encodes a truncated denitrification pathway, which includes two nitrate reductases, Nar1 and Nar2; two nitric oxide reductases, Nor1 and Nor2; and one nitrous oxide reductase, Nos; but no nitrite reductase (NirK or NirS). The transcriptome of strain JAM1 cultivated with nitrate and methanol under anaerobic conditions showed the genes for these enzymes were all expressed. We investigated the importance of Nar1 and Nar2 by knocking out narG1, narG2 or both genes. Measurement of the specific growth rate and the specific nitrate reduction rate of the knockout mutants JAM1ΔnarG1 (Nar1) and JAM1ΔnarG2 (Nar2) clearly demonstrated that both Nar systems contributed to the growth of strain JAM1 under anaerobic conditions, but at different levels. The JAM1ΔnarG1 mutant exhibited an important decrease in the nitrate reduction rate that consequently impaired its growth under anaerobic conditions. In JAM1ΔnarG2, the mutation induced a 20-h lag period before nitrate reduction occurred at specific rate similar to that of strain JAM1. The disruption of narG1 did not affect the expression of narG2. However, the expression of the Nar1 system was highly downregulated in the presence of oxygen with the JAM1ΔnarG2 mutant. These results indicated that Nar1 is the major nitrate reductase in strain JAM1 but Nar2 appears to regulate the expression of Nar1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Mauffrey
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval QC, Canada
| | - Christine Martineau
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval QC, Canada
| | - Richard Villemur
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval QC, Canada
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Magalon A, Alberge F. Distribution and dynamics of OXPHOS complexes in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2015; 1857:198-213. [PMID: 26545610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is an essential process for most living organisms mostly sustained by protein complexes embedded in the cell membrane. In order to thrive, cells need to quickly respond to changes in the metabolic demand or in their environment. An overview of the strategies that can be employed by bacterial cells to adjust the OXPHOS outcome is provided. Regulation at the level of gene expression can only provide a means to adjust the OXPHOS outcome to long-term trends in the environment. In addition, the actual view is that bioenergetic membranes are highly compartmentalized structures. This review discusses what is known about the spatial organization of OXPHOS complexes and the timescales at which they occur. As exemplified with the commensal gut bacterium Escherichia coli, three levels of spatial organization are at play: supercomplexes, membrane microdomains and polar assemblies. This review provides a particular focus on whether dynamic spatial organization can fine-tune the OXPHOS through the definition of specialized functional membrane microdomains. Putative mechanisms responsible for spatio-temporal regulation of the OXPHOS complexes are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organization and dynamics of bioenergetic systems in bacteria, edited by Conrad Mullineaux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Magalon
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 13009 Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7283, 13009 Marseille, France.
| | - François Alberge
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne (UMR 7283), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 13009 Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7283, 13009 Marseille, France
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11
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The Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiratory Chain of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica: Enzymes and Energetics. EcoSal Plus 2015; 3. [PMID: 26443736 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.3.2.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli contains a versatile respiratory chain which oxidizes ten different electron donor substrates and transfers the electrons to terminal reductases or oxidases for the reduction of six different electron acceptors. Salmonella is able to use even two more electron acceptors. The variation is further increased by the presence of isoenzymes for some substrates. Various respiratory pathways can be established by combining the oxidation of different electron donors and acceptors which are linked by respiratory quinones. The enzymes vary largely with respect to architecture, membrane topology, and mode of energy conservation. Most of the energy-conserving dehydrogenases (e.g., FdnGHI, HyaABC, and HybCOAB) and of the terminal reductases (CydAB, NarGHI, and others) form a proton potential (Δp) by a redox loop mechanism. Only two enzymes (NuoA-N and CyoABCD) couple the redox energy to proton translocation by proton pumping. A large number of dehydrogenases (e.g., Ndh, SdhABCD, and GlpD) and of terminal reductases (e.g., FrdABCD and DmsABC) do not conserve the redox energy in a proton potential. For most of the respiratory enzymes, the mechanism of proton potential generation is known from structural and biochemical studies or can be predicted from sequence information. The H+/2e- ratios of proton translocation for most respiratory chains are in the range from 2 to 6 H+/2e-. The energetics of the individual redox reactions and of the respiratory chains is described. In contrast to the knowledge on enzyme function are physiological aspects of respiration such as organization and coordination of the electron transport and the use of alternative respiratory enzymes, not well characterized.
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Abstract
Nitrate reduction to ammonia via nitrite occurs widely as an anabolic process through which bacteria, archaea, and plants can assimilate nitrate into cellular biomass. Escherichia coli and related enteric bacteria can couple the eight-electron reduction of nitrate to ammonium to growth by coupling the nitrate and nitrite reductases involved to energy-conserving respiratory electron transport systems. In global terms, the respiratory reduction of nitrate to ammonium dominates nitrate and nitrite reduction in many electron-rich environments such as anoxic marine sediments and sulfide-rich thermal vents, the human gastrointestinal tract, and the bodies of warm-blooded animals. This review reviews the regulation and enzymology of this process in E. coli and, where relevant detail is available, also in Salmonella and draws comparisons with and implications for the process in other bacteria where it is pertinent to do so. Fatty acids may be present in high levels in many of the natural environments of E. coli and Salmonella in which oxygen is limited but nitrate is available to support respiration. In E. coli, nitrate reduction in the periplasm involves the products of two seven-gene operons, napFDAGHBC, encoding the periplasmic nitrate reductase, and nrfABCDEFG, encoding the periplasmic nitrite reductase. No bacterium has yet been shown to couple a periplasmic nitrate reductase solely to the cytoplasmic nitrite reductase NirB. The cytoplasmic pathway for nitrate reduction to ammonia is restricted almost exclusively to a few groups of facultative anaerobic bacteria that encounter high concentrations of environmental nitrate.
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Lau MCY, Cameron C, Magnabosco C, Brown CT, Schilkey F, Grim S, Hendrickson S, Pullin M, Sherwood Lollar B, van Heerden E, Kieft TL, Onstott TC. Phylogeny and phylogeography of functional genes shared among seven terrestrial subsurface metagenomes reveal N-cycling and microbial evolutionary relationships. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:531. [PMID: 25400621 PMCID: PMC4215791 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative studies on community phylogenetics and phylogeography of microorganisms living in extreme environments are rare. Terrestrial subsurface habitats are valuable for studying microbial biogeographical patterns due to their isolation and the restricted dispersal mechanisms. Since the taxonomic identity of a microorganism does not always correspond well with its functional role in a particular community, the use of taxonomic assignments or patterns may give limited inference on how microbial functions are affected by historical, geographical and environmental factors. With seven metagenomic libraries generated from fracture water samples collected from five South African mines, this study was carried out to (1) screen for ubiquitous functions or pathways of biogeochemical cycling of CH4, S, and N; (2) to characterize the biodiversity represented by the common functional genes; (3) to investigate the subsurface biogeography as revealed by this subset of genes; and (4) to explore the possibility of using metagenomic data for evolutionary study. The ubiquitous functional genes are NarV, NPD, PAPS reductase, NifH, NifD, NifK, NifE, and NifN genes. Although these eight common functional genes were taxonomically and phylogenetically diverse and distinct from each other, the dissimilarity between samples did not correlate strongly with geographical or environmental parameters or residence time of the water. Por genes homologous to those of Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii detected in all metagenomes were deep lineages of Nitrospirae, suggesting that subsurface habitats have preserved ancestral genetic signatures that inform the study of the origin and evolution of prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie C Y Lau
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Cara Magnabosco
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - C Titus Brown
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Faye Schilkey
- National Center for Genome Resources Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Sharon Grim
- The Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Pullin
- Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Tech Socorro, NM, USA
| | | | - Esta van Heerden
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | | | - Tullis C Onstott
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
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Yokoyama K, Leimkühler S. The role of FeS clusters for molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis and molybdoenzymes in bacteria. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1853:1335-49. [PMID: 25268953 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) has been intensively studied, in addition to its insertion into molybdoenzymes. In particular, a link between the assembly of molybdoenzymes and the biosynthesis of FeS clusters has been identified in the recent years: 1) the synthesis of the first intermediate in Moco biosynthesis requires an FeS-cluster containing protein, 2) the sulfurtransferase for the dithiolene group in Moco is also involved in the synthesis of FeS clusters, thiamin and thiolated tRNAs, 3) the addition of a sulfido-ligand to the molybdenum atom in the active site additionally involves a sulfurtransferase, and 4) most molybdoenzymes in bacteria require FeS clusters as redox active cofactors. In this review we will focus on the biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor in bacteria, its modification and insertion into molybdoenzymes, with an emphasis to its link to FeS cluster biosynthesis and sulfur transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Yokoyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Silke Leimkühler
- Department of Molecular Enzymology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
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15
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Abstract
ABSTRACT: Bacterial adaptation to suboptimal nutrient environments, including host and/or extreme environments, is subject to complex, coordinated control involving many proteins and RNAs. Among the γ-proteobacteria, which includes many pathogens, the RpoS regulon has been a key focus for many years. Although the RpoS regulator was first identified as a growth phase-dependent regulator, our current understanding of RpoS is now more nuanced as this central regulator also has roles in exponential phase, biofilm development, bacterial virulence and bacterial persistence, as well as in stress adaptation. Induction of RpoS can also exert substantial metabolic effects by negatively regulating key systems including flagella biosynthesis, cryptic phage gene expression and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Although core RpoS-controlled metabolic functions are conserved, there are substantial differences in RpoS regulation even among closely related bacteria, indicating that regulatory plasticity may be an important aspect of RpoS regulation, which is important in evolutionary adaptation to specialized environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herb E Schellhorn
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
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16
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Dow JM, Grahl S, Ward R, Evans R, Byron O, Norman DG, Palmer T, Sargent F. Characterization of a periplasmic nitrate reductase in complex with its biosynthetic chaperone. FEBS J 2013; 281:246-60. [PMID: 24314029 PMCID: PMC4159696 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a Gram‐negative bacterium that can use nitrate during anaerobic respiration. The catalytic subunit of the periplasmic nitrate reductase NapA contains two types of redox cofactor and is exported across the cytoplasmic membrane by the twin‐arginine protein transport pathway. NapD is a small cytoplasmic protein that is essential for the activity of the periplasmic nitrate reductase and binds tightly to the twin‐arginine signal peptide of NapA. Here we show, using spin labelling and EPR, that the isolated twin‐arginine signal peptide of NapA is structured in its unbound form and undergoes a small but significant conformational change upon interaction with NapD. In addition, a complex comprising the full‐length NapA protein and NapD could be isolated by engineering an affinity tag onto NapD only. Analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrated that the two proteins in the NapDA complex were present in a 1 : 1 molar ratio, and small angle X‐ray scattering analysis of the complex indicated that NapA was at least partially folded when bound by its NapD partner. A NapDA complex could not be isolated in the absence of the NapA Tat signal peptide. Taken together, this work indicates that the NapD chaperone binds primarily at the NapA signal peptide in this system and points towards a role for NapD in the insertion of the molybdenum cofactor. Structured digital abstract NapD and NapAbind by x ray scattering (View interaction) NapA and NapD physically interact by molecular sieving (View interaction) NapA and NapDbind by electron paramagnetic resonance (View interaction)
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Dow
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK
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17
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Iobbi-Nivol C, Leimkühler S. Molybdenum enzymes, their maturation and molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2012. [PMID: 23201473 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis is an ancient, ubiquitous, and highly conserved pathway leading to the biochemical activation of molybdenum. Moco is the essential component of a group of redox enzymes, which are diverse in terms of their phylogenetic distribution and their architectures, both at the overall level and in their catalytic geometry. A wide variety of transformations are catalyzed by these enzymes at carbon, sulfur and nitrogen atoms, which include the transfer of an oxo group or two electrons to or from the substrate. More than 50 molybdoenzymes were identified in bacteria to date. In molybdoenzymes Mo is coordinated to a dithiolene group on the 6-alkyl side chain of a pterin called molybdopterin (MPT). The biosynthesis of Moco can be divided into four general steps in bacteria: 1) formation of the cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate, 2) formation of MPT, 3) insertion of molybdenum into molybdopterin to form Moco, and 4) additional modification of Moco with the attachment of GMP or CMP to the phosphate group of MPT, forming the dinucleotide variant of Moco. This review will focus on molybdoenzymes, the biosynthesis of Moco, and its incorporation into specific target proteins focusing on Escherichia coli. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Iobbi-Nivol
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
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18
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Auclair J, Parent S, Villemur R. Functional diversity in the denitrifying biofilm of the methanol-fed marine denitrification system at the Montreal Biodome. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2012; 63:726-735. [PMID: 22006549 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-011-9960-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 10/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is a serious problem in closed-circuit public aquariums because its accumulation rapidly becomes toxic to many lifeforms. A moving bed biofilm denitrification reactor was installed at the Montreal Biodome to treat its 3,250-m(3) seawater system. Naturally occurring microorganisms from the seawater affluent colonized the reactor carriers to form a denitrifying biofilm. Here, we investigated the functional diversity of this biofilm by retrieving gene sequences related to narG, napA, nirK, nirS, cnorB, and nosZ. A total of 25 sequences related to these genes were retrieved from the biofilm. Among them, the corresponding napA1, nirK1, cnorB9, and nosZ3 sequences were identical to the corresponding genes found in Hyphomicrobium sp. NL23 while the narG1 and narG2 sequences were identical to the two corresponding narG genes found in Methylophaga sp. JAM1. These two bacterial strains were previously isolated from the denitrifying biofilm. To assess the abundance of denitrifiers and nitrate respirers in the biofilm, the gene copy number of all the narG, napA, nirS, and nirK sequences found in biofilm was determined by quantitative PCR. napA1, nirK1, narG1, and narG2, which were all associated with either Methylophaga sp. JAM1 or Hyphomicrobium sp. NL23, were the most abundant genes. The other genes were 10 to 10,000 times less abundant. nirK, cnorB, and nosZ but not napA transcripts from Hyphomicrobium sp. NL23 were detected in the biofilm, and only the narG1 transcripts from Methylophaga sp. JAM1 were detected in the biofilm. Among the 19 other genes, the transcripts of only two genes were detected in the biofilm. Our results show the predominance of Methylophaga sp. JAM1 and Hyphomicrobium sp. NL23 among the denitrifiers detected in the biofilm. The results suggest that Hyphomicrobium sp. NL23 could use the nitrite present in the biofilm generated by nitrate respirers such as Methylophaga sp. JAM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Auclair
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 boul. des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada
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19
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Oliver CE, Beier RC, Hume ME, Horrocks SM, Casey TA, Caton JS, Nisbet DJ, Smith DJ, Krueger NA, Anderson RC. Effect of chlorate, molybdate, and shikimic acid on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Anaerobe 2010; 16:106-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2009.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2008] [Revised: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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20
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Abstract
Bacterial pathogens must overcome a range of challenges during the process of infecting their host. The ability of a pathogen to sense and respond appropriately to changes in host environment is vital if the pathogen is to succeed. Mammalian defense strategies include the use of barriers like skin and epithelial surfaces, the production of a chemical arsenal, such as stomach acid and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and a highly coordinated cellular and humoral immune response. Salmonella serovars are significant human and animal pathogens which have evolved several mechanisms to overcome mammalian host defense. Here we focus on the interplay which occurs between Salmonella and the host during the infection process, with particular emphasis on the complex bacterial response to reactive nitrogen species produced by the host. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the key mechanisms which confer bacterial resistance to nitrogen species, which in response to nitric oxide include the flavohemoglobin, HmpA, the flavorubredoxin, NorV, and the cytochrome c nitrite reductase, NrfA, whilst in response to nitrate include a repertoire of nitrate reductases. Elucidating the precise role of different aspects of microbial physiology, nitrogen metabolism, and detoxification during infection will provide valuable insight into novel opportunities and potential targets for the development of therapeutic approaches.
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21
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Kinnersley MA, Holben WE, Rosenzweig F. E Unibus Plurum: genomic analysis of an experimentally evolved polymorphism in Escherichia coli. PLoS Genet 2009; 5:e1000713. [PMID: 19893610 PMCID: PMC2763269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial populations founded by a single clone and propagated under resource limitation can become polymorphic. We sought to elucidate genetic mechanisms whereby a polymorphism evolved in Escherichia coli under glucose limitation and persisted because of cross-feeding among multiple adaptive clones. Apart from a 29 kb deletion in the dominant clone, no large-scale genomic changes distinguished evolved clones from their common ancestor. Using transcriptional profiling on co-evolved clones cultured separately under glucose-limitation we identified 180 genes significantly altered in expression relative to the common ancestor grown under similar conditions. Ninety of these were similarly expressed in all clones, and many of the genes affected (e.g., mglBAC, mglD, and lamB) are in operons coordinately regulated by CRP and/or rpoS. While the remaining significant expression differences were clone-specific, 93% were exhibited by the majority clone, many of which are controlled by global regulators, CRP and CpxR. When transcriptional profiling was performed on adaptive clones cultured together, many expression differences that distinguished the majority clone cultured in isolation were absent, suggesting that CpxR may be activated by overflow metabolites removed by cross-feeding strains in co-culture. Relative to their common ancestor, shared expression differences among adaptive clones were partly attributable to early-arising shared mutations in the trans-acting global regulator, rpoS, and the cis-acting regulator, mglO. Gene expression differences that distinguished clones may in part be explained by mutations in trans-acting regulators malT and glpK, and in cis-acting sequences of acs. In the founder, a cis-regulatory mutation in acs (acetyl CoA synthetase) and a structural mutation in glpR (glycerol-3-phosphate repressor) likely favored evolution of specialists that thrive on overflow metabolites. Later-arising mutations that led to specialization emphasize the importance of compensatory rather than gain-of-function mutations in this system. Taken together, these findings underscore the importance of regulatory change, founder genotype, and the biotic environment in the adaptive evolution of microbes. Experimental evolution of asexual species has shown that multiple genotypes can arise from a single ancestor and stably coexist (e unibus plurum). Although facilitated by environmental heterogeneity, this phenomenon also occurs in simple, homogeneous environments provisioned with a single limiting nutrient. We sought to discover genetic mechanisms that enabled an E. coli population founded by a single clone to become an interacting community composed of multiple clones. The founder of this population contained mutations that impair regulation of acetate and glycerol metabolism and likely favored the evolution of cross-feeding. Adaptive clones share cis- and trans-regulatory mutations shown elsewhere to enhance fitness under glucose limitation. Certain mutations that distinguish adaptive clones and underlie evolution of specialists were compensatory rather than gain-of-function, and all that we detected resulted in gene expression changes rather than protein structure changes. Evolved clones exhibited both common and clone-specific gene expression changes relative to their common ancestor; the pattern of gene expression in the dominant clone cultured alone differed from the pattern observed when it was cultured with variants feeding on its overflow metabolites. These findings illuminate the roles played by founder genotype, differential gene regulation, and the biotic environment in the adaptive evolution of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margie A. Kinnersley
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - William E. Holben
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Frank Rosenzweig
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Dong T, Chiang SM, Joyce C, Yu R, Schellhorn HE. Polymorphism and selection of rpoS in pathogenic Escherichia coli. BMC Microbiol 2009; 9:118. [PMID: 19493358 PMCID: PMC2700278 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Accepted: 06/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Though RpoS is important for survival of pathogenic Escherichia coli in natural environments, polymorphism in the rpoS gene is common. However, the causes of this polymorphism and consequential physiological effects on gene expression in pathogenic strains are not fully understood. Results In this study, we found that growth on non-preferred carbon sources can efficiently select for loss of RpoS in seven of ten representative verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) strains. Mutants (Suc++) forming large colonies on succinate were isolated at a frequency of 10-8 mutants per cell plated. Strain O157:H7 EDL933 yielded mainly mutants (about 90%) that were impaired in catalase expression, suggesting the loss of RpoS function. As expected, inactivating mutations in rpoS sequence were identified in these mutants. Expression of two pathogenicity-related phenotypes, cell adherence and RDAR (red dry and rough) morphotype, were also attenuated, indicating positive control by RpoS. For the other Suc++ mutants (10%) that were catalase positive, no mutation in rpoS was detected. Conclusion The selection for loss of RpoS on poor carbon sources is also operant in most pathogenic strains, and thus is likely responsible for the occurrence of rpoS polymorphisms among E. coli isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dong
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Building, Rm, 433, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
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23
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Jones SA, Chowdhury FZ, Fabich AJ, Anderson A, Schreiner DM, House AL, Autieri SM, Leatham MP, Lins JJ, Jorgensen M, Cohen PS, Conway T. Respiration of Escherichia coli in the mouse intestine. Infect Immun 2007; 75:4891-9. [PMID: 17698572 PMCID: PMC2044527 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00484-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2007] [Revised: 06/01/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals are aerobes that harbor an intestinal ecosystem dominated by large numbers of anaerobic microorganisms. However, the role of oxygen in the intestinal ecosystem is largely unexplored. We used systematic mutational analysis to determine the role of respiratory metabolism in the streptomycin-treated mouse model of intestinal colonization. Here we provide evidence that aerobic respiration is required for commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli to colonize mice. Our results showed that mutants lacking ATP synthase, which is required for all respiratory energy-conserving metabolism, were eliminated by competition with respiratory-competent wild-type strains. Mutants lacking the high-affinity cytochrome bd oxidase, which is used when oxygen tensions are low, also failed to colonize. However, the low-affinity cytochrome bo(3) oxidase, which is used when oxygen tension is high, was found not to be necessary for colonization. Mutants lacking either nitrate reductase or fumarate reductase also had major colonization defects. The results showed that the entire E. coli population was dependent on both microaerobic and anaerobic respiration, consistent with the hypothesis that the E. coli niche is alternately microaerobic and anaerobic, rather than static. The results indicate that success of the facultative anaerobes in the intestine depends on their respiratory flexibility. Despite competition for relatively scarce carbon sources, the energy efficiency provided by respiration may contribute to the widespread distribution (i.e., success) of E. coli strains as commensal inhabitants of the mammalian intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shari A Jones
- Advanced Center for Genome Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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24
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Abstract
In the absence of oxygen, Escherichia coli can use alternative exogenous electron acceptors, including trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), to generate energy. In this study, we showed that in contrast to the other anaerobic respiratory systems, the TMAO reductase (Tor) system was expressed during both aerobiosis and anaerobiosis. By using a torA-lacZ fusion and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we established that the torCAD operon encoding the Tor system was induced in the presence of TMAO mainly during exponential phase, and that optimal induction required a certain level of DNA supercoiling. We also showed that the presence of oxygen prevented neither the biogenesis of the Tor system nor the reduction of TMAO. The physiological role of TMAO reduction during aerobiosis has not been yet established, but our experiments suggest that alkaline TMA production could enhance the growth conditions by increasing the pH of the culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Ansaldi
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie Structurale et Microbiologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 31, chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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25
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Clegg SJ, Jia W, Cole JA. Role of the Escherichia coli nitrate transport protein, NarU, in survival during severe nutrient starvation and slow growth. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2006; 152:2091-2100. [PMID: 16804183 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.28688-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli K-12 strains expressing either NarU or NarK as the only nitrate transport protein are both able to support nitrate-dependent anaerobic growth. The narK gene is highly expressed during anaerobic growth in the presence of nitrate, consistent with a role for NarK in nitrate transport coupled to nitrate reduction by the most active nitrate reductase encoded by the adjacent narGHJI operon. The physiological role of NarU is unknown. Reverse transcriptase PCR experiments established that, unlike the monocistronic narK gene, narU is co-transcribed with narZ as the first gene of a five-gene narUZYWV operon. The narK and narU genes were fused in-frame to a myc tag: the encoded fusion proteins complemented the nitrate-dependent growth defect of chromosomal narK and narU mutations. A commercial anti-Myc antibody was used to detect NarK and NarU in membrane fractions. During anaerobic growth in the presence of nitrate, the quantity of NarU-Myc accumulated during exponential growth was far less than that of NarK-Myc, but NarU was more abundant than NarK in stationary-phase cultures in the absence of nitrate. Although the concentration of NarU-Myc increased considerably during the post-exponential phase of growth, NarK-Myc was still more abundant than NarU-Myc in stationary-phase bacteria in the presence of nitrate. In chemostat competition experiments, a strain expressing only narU had a selective advantage relative to a strain expressing only narK during nutrient starvation or very slow growth, but NarK(+) bacteria had a much greater selective advantage during rapid growth. The data suggest that NarU confers a selective advantage during severe nutrient starvation or slow growth, conditions similar to those encountered in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Clegg
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Wenjing Jia
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Cole
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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26
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Goh EB, Bledsoe PJ, Chen LL, Gyaneshwar P, Stewart V, Igo MM. Hierarchical control of anaerobic gene expression in Escherichia coli K-12: the nitrate-responsive NarX-NarL regulatory system represses synthesis of the fumarate-responsive DcuS-DcuR regulatory system. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:4890-9. [PMID: 15995204 PMCID: PMC1169511 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.14.4890-4899.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hierarchical control ensures that facultative bacteria preferentially use the available respiratory electron acceptor with the most positive standard redox potential. Thus, nitrate is used before other electron acceptors such as fumarate for anaerobic respiration. Nitrate regulation is mediated by the NarX-NarL two-component system, which activates the transcription of operons encoding nitrate respiration enzymes and represses the transcription of operons for other anaerobic respiratory enzymes, including enzymes involved in fumarate respiration. These are fumarate reductase (encoded by the frdABCD operon), fumarase B, which generates fumarate from malate, and the DcuB permease for fumarate, malate, and aspartate. The transcription of the corresponding structural genes is activated by the DcuS-DcuR two-component system in response to fumarate or its dicarboxylate precursors. We report results from preliminary transcription microarray experiments that revealed two previously unknown members of the NarL regulon: the aspA gene encoding aspartate-ammonia lyase, which generates fumarate; and the dcuSR operon encoding the dicarboxylate-responsive regulatory system. We measured beta-galactosidase expression from monocopy aspA-lacZ, frdA-lacZ, and dcuS-lacZ operon fusions in response to added nitrate and fumarate and with respect to the dcuR and narL genotypes. Nitrate, acting through the NarX-NarL regulatory system, repressed the transcription of all three operons. Only frdA-lacZ expression, however, was responsive to added fumarate or a dcuR(+) genotype. Phospho-NarL protein protected operator sites in the aspA and dcuS promoter regions from DNase I cleavage in vitro. The overall results are consistent with the hypothesis that nitrate represses frdA operon transcription not only directly, by repressing frdA promoter activity, but also indirectly, by repressing dcuS promoter activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee-Been Goh
- Section of Microbiology, University of California, Davis, 95616-8665, USA
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27
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Abstract
Two polytopic membrane proteins, NarK and NarU, are involved in nitrate and nitrite uptake and nitrite extrusion by Escherichia coli. A third polytopic membrane protein, NirC, functions only in nitrite transport. During exponential growth, the quantity of NarU in membrane fractions was <0.01% of the quantity of NarK. During the stationary phase of growth, the ratio of NarU to NarK increased to 0.1%. However, in the exponential phase of growth, the strain expressing only NarK transports and reduces nitrate and nitrite at a rate only slightly higher than that of the strain expressing only NarU, indicating that, in a NarK+ strain, the rate of nitrate reduction is not limited by the rate of nitrate transport. By measuring nitrate and nitrite transport abilities of strains expressing only narK or expressing both narK and nirC, we hypothesized that NarK might function as a primary nitrate–nitrite antiporter. After nitrate is imported by NarK and reduced to nitrite, some nitrite is expelled from the cell and then reimported for reduction to ammonia. Two highly conserved positively charged residues, Arg-87 and Arg-303 of NarU, were shown by site-directed mutagenesis to play a key role in anion transport. This result indicates that NarU might form a single channel for nitrate and nitrite transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Jia
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Vijayakumar SRV, Kirchhof MG, Patten CL, Schellhorn HE. RpoS-regulated genes of Escherichia coli identified by random lacZ fusion mutagenesis. J Bacteriol 2005; 186:8499-507. [PMID: 15576800 PMCID: PMC532425 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.24.8499-8507.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RpoS is a conserved alternative sigma factor that regulates the expression of many stress response genes in Escherichia coli. The RpoS regulon is large but has not yet been completely characterized. In this study, we report the identification of over 100 RpoS-dependent fusions in a genetic screen based on the differential expression of an operon-lacZ fusion bank in rpoS mutant and wild-type backgrounds. Forty-eight independent gene fusions were identified, including several in well-characterized RpoS-regulated genes, such as osmY, katE, and otsA. Many of the other fusions mapped to genes of unknown function or to genes that were not previously known to be under RpoS control. Based on the homology to other known bacterial genes, some of the RpoS-regulated genes of unknown functions are likely important in nutrient scavenging.
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McCrindle SL, Kappler U, McEwan AG. Microbial Dimethylsulfoxide and Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Respiration. Adv Microb Physiol 2005; 50:147-98. [PMID: 16221580 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2911(05)50004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the biochemistry and genetics of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) respiration has been characterised, particularly in Escherichia coli marine bacteria of the genus Shewanella and the purple phototrophic bacteria, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and R. capsulatus. All of the enzymes (or catalytic subunits) involved the final step in DMSO and TMAO respiration contain a pterin molybdenum cofactor and are members of the DMSO reductase family of molybdoenzymes. In E. coli, the dimethylsulfoxide reductase (DmsABC) can be purified from membranes as a complex, which exhibits quinol-DMSO oxidoreductase activity. The enzyme is anchored to the membrane via the DmsC subunit and its catalytic subunit DmsA is now considered to face the periplasm. Electron transfer to DmsA involves the DmsB subunit, which is a polyferredoxin related to subunits found in other molybdoenzymes such as nitrate reductase and formate dehydrogenase. A characteristic of the DmsAB-type DMSO reductase is its ability to reduce a variety of S- and N-oxides. E. coli contains a trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase (TorA) that is highly specific for N-oxides. This enzyme is located in the periplasm and is connected to the quinone pool via a membrane-bound penta-haem cytochrome (TorC). DorCA in purple phototrophic bacteria of the genus Rhodobacter is very similar to TorCA with the critical difference that DorA catalyses reduction of both DMSO and TMAO. It is known as a DMSO reductase because the S-oxide is the best substrate. Crystal structures of DorA and TorA have revealed critical differences at the Mo active site that may explain the differences between substrate specificity between the two enzymes. DmsA, TorA and DorA possess a "twin arginine" N-terminal signal sequence consistent with their secretion via the TAT secretory system and not the Sec system. The enzymes are secreted with their bound prosthetic groups: this take place in the cytoplasm and the biogenesis involves a chaperone protein, which is cognate for each enzyme. Expression of the DMSO and TMAO respiratory operons is induced in response to a fall in oxygen tension. dmsABC expression is positively controlled by the oxygen-responsive transcription factor, Fnr and ModE, a transcription factor that binds molybdate. In contrast, torCAD expression is not under Fnr- or ModE-control but is dependent upon a sensor histidine kinase-response regulator pair, TorSR, which activate gene expression under conditions of low oxygen tension in the presence of N- or S-oxide. Regulation of dorCDA expression is similar to that seen for torCAD but it appears that the expression of the sensor histidine kinase-response regulator pair, DorSR is regulated by Fnr and there is an additional tier of regulation involving the ModE-homologue MopB, molybdate and the transcription factor DorX. Analysis of microbial genomes has revealed the presence of dms and tor operons in a wide variety of bacteria and in some archaea and duplicate dms and tor operons have been identified in E. coli. Challenges ahead will include the determination of the significance of the presence of the dms operon in bacterial pathogens and the determination of the significance of DMSO respiration in the global turnover of marine organo-sulfur compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L McCrindle
- School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
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Patten CL, Kirchhof MG, Schertzberg MR, Morton RA, Schellhorn HE. Microarray analysis of RpoS-mediated gene expression in Escherichia coli K-12. Mol Genet Genomics 2004; 272:580-91. [PMID: 15558318 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-004-1089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2004] [Accepted: 10/28/2004] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The alternative sigma factor RpoS controls the expression of many stationary-phase genes in Escherichia coli and other bacteria. Though the RpoS regulon is a large, conserved system that is critical for adaptation to nutrient deprivation and other stresses, it remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we have used oligonucleotide arrays to delineate the transcriptome that is controlled by RpoS during entry into stationary phase of cultures growing in rich medium. The expression of known RpoS-dependent genes was confirmed to be regulated by RpoS, thus validating the use of microarrays for expression analysis. The total number of positively regulated stationary-phase genes was found to be greater than 100. More than 45 new genes were identified as positively controlled by RpoS. Surprisingly, a similar number of genes were found to be negatively regulated by RpoS, and these included almost all genes required for flagellum biosynthesis, genes encoding enzymes of the TCA cycle, and a physically contiguous group of genes located in the Rac prophage region. Negative regulation by RpoS is thus much more extensive than has previously been recognized, and is likely to be an important contributing factor to the competitive growth advantage of rpoS mutants reported in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Patten
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
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31
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Sohaskey CD, Wayne LG. Role of narK2X and narGHJI in hypoxic upregulation of nitrate reduction by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Bacteriol 2003; 185:7247-56. [PMID: 14645286 PMCID: PMC296237 DOI: 10.1128/jb.185.24.7247-7256.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2003] [Accepted: 09/25/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the strongest reducers of nitrate in the genus Mycobacterium: Under microaerobic conditions, whole cells exhibit upregulation of activity, producing approximately eightfold more nitrite than those of aerobic cultures of the same age. Assays of cell extracts from aerobic cultures and hypoxic cultures yielded comparable nitrate reductase activities. Mycobacterium bovis produced only low levels of nitrite, and this activity was not induced by hypoxia. M. tuberculosis has two sets of genes, narGHJI and narX of the narK2X operon, that exhibit some degree of homology to prokaryotic dissimilatory nitrate reductases. Each of these were knocked out by insertional inactivation. The narG mutant showed no nitrate reductase activity in whole culture or in cell-free assays, while the narX mutant showed wild-type levels in both assays. A knockout of the putative nitrite transporter narK2 gene produced a strain that had aerobic levels of nitrate reductase activity but failed to show hypoxic upregulation. Insertion of the M. tuberculosis narGHJI into a nitrate reductase Escherichia coli mutant allowed anaerobic growth in the presence of nitrate. Under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, transcription of narGHJI was constitutive, while the narK2X operon was induced under hypoxia, as measured with a lacZ reporter system and by quantitative real-time reverse PCR. This indicates that nitrate reductase activity in M. tuberculosis is due to the narGHJI locus with no detectable contribution from narX and that the hypoxic upregulation of activity is associated with the induction of the nitrate and nitrite transport gene narK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D Sohaskey
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach,and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA.
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Clegg S, Yu F, Griffiths L, Cole JA. The roles of the polytopic membrane proteins NarK, NarU and NirC in Escherichia coli K-12: two nitrate and three nitrite transporters. Mol Microbiol 2002; 44:143-55. [PMID: 11967075 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02858.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Two polytopic membrane proteins, NarK and NarU, are assumed to transport nitrite out of the Escherichia coli cytoplasm, but how nitrate enters enteric bacteria is unknown. We report the construction and use of four isogenic strains that lack nitrate reductase Z and the periplasmic nitrate reductase, but express all combinations of narK and narU. The active site of the only functional nitrate reductase, nitrate reductase A, is located in the cytoplasm, so nitrate reduction by these four strains is totally dependent upon a mechanism for importing nitrate. These strains were exploited to determine the roles of NarK and NarU in both nitrate and nitrite transport. Single mutants that lack either NarK or NarU were competent for nitrate-dependent anaerobic growth on a non-fermentable carbon source, glycerol. They transported and reduced nitrate almost as rapidly as the parental strain. In contrast, the narK-narU double mutant was defective in nitrate-dependent growth unless nitrate transport was facilitated by the nitrate ionophore, reduced benzyl viologen (BV). It was also unable to catalyse nitrate reduction in the presence of physiological electron donors. Synthesis of active nitrate reductase A and the cytoplasmic, NADH-dependent nitrite reductase were unaffected by the narK and narU mutations. The rate of nitrite reduction catalysed by the cytoplasmic, NADH-dependent nitrite reductase by the double mutant was almost as rapid as that of the NarK+-NarU+ strain, indicating that there is a mechanism for nitrite uptake by E. coli that is in-dependent of either NarK or NarU. The nir operon encodes a soluble, cytoplasmic nitrite reductase that catalyses NADH-dependent reduction of nitrite to ammonia. One additional component that contributes to nitrite uptake was shown to be NirC, the hydrophobic product of the third gene of the nir operon, which is predicted to be a polytopic membrane protein with six membrane-spanning helices. Deletion of both NarK and NirC decreased nitrite uptake and reduction to a basal rate that was fully restored by a single chromosomal copy of either narK or nirC. A multicopy plasmid encoding NarU complemented a narK mutation for nitrite excretion, but not for nitrite uptake. We conclude that, in contrast to NirC, which transports only nitrite, NarK and NarU provide alternative mechanisms for both nitrate and nitrite transport. However, NarU might selectively promote nitrite ex-cretion, not nitrite uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Clegg
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Wood NJ, Alizadeh T, Richardson DJ, Ferguson SJ, Moir JWB. Two domains of a dual-function NarK protein are required for nitrate uptake, the first step of denitrification in Paracoccus pantotrophus. Mol Microbiol 2002; 44:157-70. [PMID: 11967076 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02859.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Uptake of nitrate into the cytoplasm is the first but least well understood step of denitrification; no gene has previously been identified to be necessary for this process. Upstream from the structural genes of the membrane-bound nitrate reductase (narGHJI) in Paracoccus pantotrophus there is a fusion of two genes, each homologous to members of the narK family. The single open reading frame is predicted to encode 24 transmembrane helices, comprising two domains, NarK1 and NarK2. Analysis of both the accumulation of intracellular nitrite and electron transport through the nitrate reductase enzyme in narK mutants reveals that NarK1 and NarK2 are both involved in nitrate uptake. Maximal rate of nitrate transport via NarK2 was dependent upon nitrite, indicating that NarK2 encodes a nitrate/nitrite antiporter. The uncouplers S13 and dinitrophenol showed that NarK2 was not dependent on the proton motive force for maximal nitrate transport activity. Nitrate transport via NarK1 was dependent on proton motive force, indicating that it is likely to be a nitrate/proton symporter. Low expression of membrane-bound nitrate reductase in narK mutants was counteracted by azide, which induced nitrate reductase expression only if the transcriptional activator NarR was present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Wood
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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Stewart V, Lu Y, Darwin AJ. Periplasmic nitrate reductase (NapABC enzyme) supports anaerobic respiration by Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 2002; 184:1314-23. [PMID: 11844760 PMCID: PMC134854 DOI: 10.1128/jb.184.5.1314-1323.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Periplasmic nitrate reductase (NapABC enzyme) has been characterized from a variety of proteobacteria, especially Paracoccus pantotrophus. Whole-genome sequencing of Escherichia coli revealed the structural genes napFDAGHBC, which encode NapABC enzyme and associated electron transfer components. E. coli also expresses two membrane-bound proton-translocating nitrate reductases, encoded by the narGHJI and narZYWV operons. We measured reduced viologen-dependent nitrate reductase activity in a series of strains with combinations of nar and nap null alleles. The napF operon-encoded nitrate reductase activity was not sensitive to azide, as shown previously for the P. pantotrophus NapA enzyme. A strain carrying null alleles of narG and narZ grew exponentially on glycerol with nitrate as the respiratory oxidant (anaerobic respiration), whereas a strain also carrying a null allele of napA did not. By contrast, the presence of napA+ had no influence on the more rapid growth of narG+ strains. These results indicate that periplasmic nitrate reductase, like fumarate reductase, can function in anaerobic respiration but does not constitute a site for generating proton motive force. The time course of phi(napF-lacZ) expression during growth in batch culture displayed a complex pattern in response to the dynamic nitrate/nitrite ratio. Our results are consistent with the observation that phi(napF-lacZ) is expressed preferentially at relatively low nitrate concentrations in continuous cultures (H. Wang, C.-P. Tseng, and R. P. Gunsalus, J. Bacteriol. 181:5303-5308, 1999). This finding and other considerations support the hypothesis that NapABC enzyme may function in E. coli when low nitrate concentrations limit the bioenergetic efficiency of nitrate respiration via NarGHI enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valley Stewart
- Section of Microbiology, University of California, O)ne Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8665, USA.
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Abstract
The promoter recognition specificity of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase is modulated by replacement of the sigma subunit in the first step and by interaction with transcription factors in the second step. The overall differentiated state of approximately 2000 molecules of the RNA polymerase in a single cell can be estimated after measurement of both the intracellular concentrations and the RNA polymerase-binding affinities for all seven species of the sigma subunit and 100-150 transcription factors. The anticipated impact from this line of systematic approach is that the prediction of the expression hierarchy of approximately 4000 genes on the E. coli genome can be estimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ishihama
- National Institute of Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
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Gon S, Patte JC, Méjean V, Iobbi-Nivol C. The torYZ (yecK bisZ) operon encodes a third respiratory trimethylamine N-oxide reductase in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2000; 182:5779-86. [PMID: 11004177 PMCID: PMC94700 DOI: 10.1128/jb.182.20.5779-5786.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The bisZ gene of Escherichia coli was previously described as encoding a minor biotin sulfoxide (BSO) reductase in addition to the main cytoplasmic BSO reductase, BisC. In this study, bisZ has been renamed torZ based on the findings that (i) the torZ gene product, TorZ, is able to reduce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) more efficiently than BSO; (ii) although TorZ is more homologous to BisC than to the TMAO reductase TorA (63 and 42% identity, respectively), it is located mainly in the periplasm as is TorA; (iii) torZ belongs to the torYZ operon, and the first gene, torY (formerly yecK), encodes a pentahemic c-type cytochrome homologous to the TorC cytochrome of the TorCAD respiratory system. Furthermore, the torYZ operon encodes a third TMAO respiratory system, with catalytic properties that are clearly different from those of the TorCAD and the DmsABC systems. The torYZ and the torCAD operons may have diverged from a common ancestor, but, surprisingly, no torD homologue is found in the sequences around torYZ. Moreover, the torYZ operon is expressed at very low levels under the conditions tested, and, in contrast to torCAD, it is not induced by TMAO or dimethyl sulfoxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gon
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie Structurale et Microbiologie, Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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Potter LC, Millington PD, Thomas GH, Rothery RA, Giordano G, Cole JA. Novel growth characteristics and high rates of nitrate reduction of an Escherichia coli strain, LCB2048, that expresses only a periplasmic nitrate reductase. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2000; 185:51-7. [PMID: 10731606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09039.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli strain LCB2048 is a double mutant defective in the synthesis of the two membrane-associated nitrate reductases A and Z. This strain can grow anaerobically on a non-fermentable carbon source, glycerol, in the presence of nitrate even in media supplemented with high concentrations of tungstate. This growth was totally dependent upon a highly active, periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap). Due to the presence of a previously unreported narL mutation, synthesis of the periplasmic nitrate reductase by this strain was induced during anaerobic growth by nitrate. We have also demonstrated that methyl viologen is an ineffective electron donor to Nap: its use leads to an underestimation of the contribution of Nap activity to the rate of nitrate reduction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Potter
- School of Biochemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Thomas GH. New roles for nitrate reductases. Trends Microbiol 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0966-842x(99)01668-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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