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de Assis Noman G, Lacerda de Moura BE, Vieira ML. Leptospiral LipL45 lipoprotein undergoes processing and shares structural similarities with bacterial sigma regulators. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 717:150057. [PMID: 38718568 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150057] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic infectious disease of human and veterinary concern caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. To date, little progress towards understanding leptospiral pathogenesis and identification of virulence factors has been made, which is the main bottleneck for developing effective measures against the disease. Some leptospiral proteins, including LipL32, Lig proteins, LipL45, and LipL21, are being considered as potential virulence factors or vaccine candidates. However, their function remains to be established. LipL45 is the most expressed membrane lipoprotein in leptospires, upregulated when the bacteria are transferred to temperatures resembling the host, expressed during infection, suppressed after culture attenuation, and known to suffer processing in vivo and in vitro, generating fragments. Based on body of evidence, we hypothesized that the LipL45 processing might occur by an auto-cleavage event, deriving two fragments. The results presented here, based on bioinformatics, structure modeling analysis, and experimental data, corroborate that LipL45 processing probably includes a self-catalyzed non-proteolytic event and suggest the participation of LipL45 in cell-surface signaling pathways, as the protein shares structural similarities with bacterial sigma regulators. Our data indicate that LipL45 might play an important role in response to environmental conditions, with possible function in the adaptation to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel de Assis Noman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação Em Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | | | - Mônica Larucci Vieira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação Em Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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2
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de Amorim GC, Bardiaux B, Izadi-Pruneyre N. Structural Analysis of Proteins from Bacterial Secretion Systems and Their Assemblies by NMR Spectroscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2715:503-517. [PMID: 37930547 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3445-5_30] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial secretion systems are built up from proteins with different physicochemical characteristics, such as highly hydrophobic transmembrane polypeptides, and soluble periplasmic or intracellular domains. A single complex can be composed of more than ten proteins with distinct features, spreading through different cellular compartments. The membrane and multicompartment nature of the proteins, and their large molecular weight make their study challenging. However, information on their structure and assemblies is required to understand their mechanisms and interfere with them. An alternative strategy is to work with soluble domains and peptides corresponding to the regions of interest of the proteins.Here, we describe a simple and fast protocol to evaluate the stability, folding, and interaction of protein sub-complexes by using solution-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This technique is widely used for protein structure and protein-ligand interaction analysis in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Cardoso de Amorim
- Núcleo Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa em Biologia, Campus Duque de Caxias, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil
| | - Benjamin Bardiaux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Bacterial Transmembrane Systems Unit, Paris, France
| | - Nadia Izadi-Pruneyre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Bacterial Transmembrane Systems Unit, Paris, France.
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3
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Abstract
TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) are present in all gram-negative bacteria and mediate energy-dependent uptake of molecules that are too scarce or large to be taken up efficiently by outer membrane (OM) diffusion channels. This process requires energy that is derived from the proton motive force and delivered to TBDTs by the TonB-ExbBD motor complex in the inner membrane. Together with the need to preserve the OM permeability barrier, this has led to an extremely complex and fascinating transport mechanism for which the fundamentals, despite decades of research, are still unclear. In this review, we describe our current understanding of the transport mechanism of TBDTs, their potential role in the delivery of novel antibiotics, and the important contributions made by TBDT-associated (lipo)proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustinas Silale
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Bert van den Berg
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; ,
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4
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Braun V, Hartmann MD, Hantke K. Transcription regulation of iron carrier transport genes by ECF sigma factors through signaling from the cell surface into the cytoplasm. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6524835. [PMID: 35138377 PMCID: PMC9249621 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are usually iron-deficient because the Fe3+ in their environment is insoluble or is incorporated into proteins. To overcome their natural iron limitation, bacteria have developed sophisticated iron transport and regulation systems. In gram-negative bacteria, these include iron carriers, such as citrate, siderophores, and heme, which when loaded with Fe3+ adsorb with high specificity and affinity to outer membrane proteins. Binding of the iron carriers to the cell surface elicits a signal that initiates transcription of iron carrier transport and synthesis genes, referred to as “cell surface signaling”. Transcriptional regulation is not coupled to transport. Outer membrane proteins with signaling functions contain an additional N-terminal domain that in the periplasm makes contact with an anti-sigma factor regulatory protein that extends from the outer membrane into the cytoplasm. Binding of the iron carriers to the outer membrane receptors elicits proteolysis of the anti-sigma factor by two different proteases, Prc in the periplasm, and RseP in the cytoplasmic membrane, inactivates the anti-sigma function or results in the generation of an N-terminal peptide of ∼50 residues with pro-sigma activity yielding an active extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor. Signal recognition and signal transmission into the cytoplasm is discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkmar Braun
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcus D Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Hantke
- IMIT Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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5
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Extracellular haem utilization by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its role in virulence and pathogenesis. Adv Microb Physiol 2021; 79:89-132. [PMID: 34836613 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for all bacteria but presents a significant challenge given its limited bioavailability. Furthermore, iron's toxicity combined with the need to maintain iron levels within a narrow physiological range requires integrated systems to sense, regulate and transport a variety of iron complexes. Most bacteria encode systems to chelate and transport ferric iron (Fe3+) via siderophore receptor mediated uptake or via cytoplasmic energy dependent transport systems. Pathogenic bacteria have further lowered the barrier to iron acquisition by employing systems to utilize haem as a source of iron. Haem, a lipophilic and toxic molecule, presents a significant challenge for transport into the cell. As such pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated cell surface signaling (CSS) and transport systems to sense and obtain haem from the host. Once internalized haem is cleaved by both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms to release iron. Herein we summarize our current understanding of the mechanism of haem sensing, uptake and utilization in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its role in pathogenesis and virulence, and the potential of these systems as antimicrobial targets.
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6
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Pollet RM, Martin LM, Koropatkin NM. TonB-dependent transporters in the Bacteroidetes: Unique domain structures and potential functions. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:490-501. [PMID: 33448497 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The human gut microbiota endows the host with a wealth of metabolic functions central to health, one of which is the degradation and fermentation of complex carbohydrates. The Bacteroidetes are one of the dominant bacterial phyla of this community and possess an expanded capacity for glycan utilization. This is mediated via the coordinated expression of discrete polysaccharide utilization loci (PUL) that invariantly encode a TonB-dependent transporter (SusC) that works with a glycan-capturing lipoprotein (SusD). More broadly within Gram-negative bacteria, TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) are deployed for the uptake of not only sugars, but also more often for essential nutrients such as iron and vitamins. Here, we provide a comprehensive look at the repertoire of TBDTs found in the model gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and the range of predicted functional domains associated with these transporters and SusD proteins for the uptake of both glycans and other nutrients. This atlas of the B. thetaiotaomicron TBDTs reveals that there are at least three distinct subtypes of these transporters encoded within its genome that are presumably regulated in different ways to tune nutrient uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauryn M Martin
- Department of Biology, Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS, USA
| | - Nicole M Koropatkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Gray DA, White JBR, Oluwole AO, Rath P, Glenwright AJ, Mazur A, Zahn M, Baslé A, Morland C, Evans SL, Cartmell A, Robinson CV, Hiller S, Ranson NA, Bolam DN, van den Berg B. Insights into SusCD-mediated glycan import by a prominent gut symbiont. Nat Commun 2021; 12:44. [PMID: 33398001 PMCID: PMC7782687 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20285-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In Bacteroidetes, one of the dominant phyla of the mammalian gut, active uptake of large nutrients across the outer membrane is mediated by SusCD protein complexes via a "pedal bin" transport mechanism. However, many features of SusCD function in glycan uptake remain unclear, including ligand binding, the role of the SusD lid and the size limit for substrate transport. Here we characterise the β2,6 fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) importing SusCD from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt1762-Bt1763) to shed light on SusCD function. Co-crystal structures reveal residues involved in glycan recognition and suggest that the large binding cavity can accommodate several substrate molecules, each up to ~2.5 kDa in size, a finding supported by native mass spectrometry and isothermal titration calorimetry. Mutational studies in vivo provide functional insights into the key structural features of the SusCD apparatus and cryo-EM of the intact dimeric SusCD complex reveals several distinct states of the transporter, directly visualising the dynamics of the pedal bin transport mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Declan A Gray
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Joshua B R White
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Abraham O Oluwole
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | | | - Amy J Glenwright
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Adam Mazur
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Zahn
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud Baslé
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Carl Morland
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Sasha L Evans
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Alan Cartmell
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | | | - Neil A Ranson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - David N Bolam
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| | - Bert van den Berg
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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8
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Jensen JL, Jernberg BD, Sinha SC, Colbert CL. Structural basis of cell-surface signaling by a conserved sigma regulator in Gram-negative bacteria. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5795-5806. [PMID: 32107313 PMCID: PMC7186176 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-surface signaling (CSS) in Gram-negative bacteria involves highly conserved regulatory pathways that optimize gene expression by transducing extracellular environmental signals to the cytoplasm via inner-membrane sigma regulators. The molecular details of ferric siderophore-mediated activation of the iron import machinery through a sigma regulator are unclear. Here, we present the 1.56 Å resolution structure of the periplasmic complex of the C-terminal CSS domain (CCSSD) of PupR, the sigma regulator in the Pseudomonas capeferrum pseudobactin BN7/8 transport system, and the N-terminal signaling domain (NTSD) of PupB, an outer-membrane TonB-dependent transducer. The structure revealed that the CCSSD consists of two subdomains: a juxta-membrane subdomain, which has a novel all-β-fold, followed by a secretin/TonB, short N-terminal subdomain at the C terminus of the CCSSD, a previously unobserved topological arrangement of this domain. Using affinity pulldown assays, isothermal titration calorimetry, and thermal denaturation CD spectroscopy, we show that both subdomains are required for binding the NTSD with micromolar affinity and that NTSD binding improves CCSSD stability. Our findings prompt us to present a revised model of CSS wherein the CCSSD:NTSD complex forms prior to ferric-siderophore binding. Upon siderophore binding, conformational changes in the CCSSD enable regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the sigma regulator, ultimately resulting in transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime L Jensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108
| | - Beau D Jernberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108
| | - Sangita C Sinha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108
| | - Christopher L Colbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108.
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9
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Abstract
Iron is essential for the survival of most bacteria but presents a significant challenge given its limited bioavailability. Furthermore, the toxicity of iron combined with the need to maintain physiological iron levels within a narrow concentration range requires sophisticated systems to sense, regulate, and transport iron. Most bacteria have evolved mechanisms to chelate and transport ferric iron (Fe3+) via siderophore receptor systems, and pathogenic bacteria have further lowered this barrier by employing mechanisms to utilize the host's hemoproteins. Once internalized, heme is cleaved by both oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms to release iron. Heme, itself a lipophilic and toxic molecule, presents a significant challenge for transport into the cell. As such, pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated cell surface signaling and transport systems to obtain heme from the host. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the heme-sensing and transport systems of pathogenic bacteria and the potential of these systems as antimicrobial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201;
| | - Angela Wilks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201;
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10
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Structural basis of the signalling through a bacterial membrane receptor HasR deciphered by an integrative approach. Biochem J 2016; 473:2239-48. [PMID: 27208170 PMCID: PMC4941744 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In bacteria, some scarce nutrients are sensed, bound and internalized by their specific transporter. In the present study, using an integrative structural approach, we study HasR, a bacterial haem transporter in both its free and its loaded forms. Bacteria use diverse signalling pathways to adapt gene expression to external stimuli. In Gram-negative bacteria, the binding of scarce nutrients to membrane transporters triggers a signalling process that up-regulates the expression of genes of various functions, from uptake of nutrient to production of virulence factors. Although proteins involved in this process have been identified, signal transduction through this family of transporters is not well understood. In the present study, using an integrative approach (EM, SAXS, X-ray crystallography and NMR), we have studied the structure of the haem transporter HasR captured in two stages of the signalling process, i.e. before and after the arrival of signalling activators (haem and its carrier protein). We show for the first time that the HasR domain responsible for signal transfer: (i) is highly flexible in two stages of signalling; (ii) extends into the periplasm at approximately 70–90 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) from the HasR β-barrel; and (iii) exhibits local conformational changes in response to the arrival of signalling activators. These features would favour the signal transfer from HasR to its cytoplasmic membrane partners.
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11
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Jensen JL, Balbo A, Neau DB, Chakravarthy S, Zhao H, Sinha SC, Colbert CL. Mechanistic Implications of the Unique Structural Features and Dimerization of the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Pseudomonas Sigma Regulator, PupR. Biochemistry 2015; 54:5867-77. [PMID: 26313375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria tightly regulate intracellular levels of iron, an essential nutrient. To ensure this strict control, some outer membrane TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) that are responsible for iron import stimulate their own transcription in response to extracellular binding by an iron-laden siderophore. This process is mediated by an inner membrane sigma regulator protein (an anti-sigma factor) that transduces an unknown periplasmic signal from the TBDT to release an intracellular sigma factor from the inner membrane, which ultimately upregulates TBDT transcription. Here, we use the Pseudomonas putida ferric-pseudobactin BN7/BN8 sigma regulator, PupR, as a model system to understand the molecular mechanism of this conserved class of sigma regulators. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the cytoplasmic anti-sigma domain (ASD) of PupR to 2.0 Å. Size exclusion chromatography, small-angle X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation all indicate that, in contrast to other ASDs, the PupR-ASD exists as a dimer in solution. Mutagenesis of residues at the dimer interface identified from the crystal structure disrupts dimerization and protein stability, as determined by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and thermal denaturation circular dichroism spectroscopy. These combined results suggest that this type of inner membrane sigma regulator may utilize an unusual mechanism to sequester their cognate sigma factors and prevent transcription activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime L Jensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050, United States
| | - Andrea Balbo
- Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science Shared Resource, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - David B Neau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Northeastern Collaborative Access Team, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Srinivas Chakravarthy
- Biophysics Collaborative Access Team, Advanced Photon Source, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Bldg. 435B, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Huaying Zhao
- Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Sangita C Sinha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050, United States
| | - Christopher L Colbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050, United States
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12
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Delepelaire P, Izadi-Pruneyre N, Delepierre M, Ghigo JM, Schwartz M. A tribute to Cécile Wandersman. Res Microbiol 2015; 166:393-8. [PMID: 26258186 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Bastiaansen KC, van Ulsen P, Wijtmans M, Bitter W, Llamas MA. Self-cleavage of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cell-surface Signaling Anti-sigma Factor FoxR Occurs through an N-O Acyl Rearrangement. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:12237-46. [PMID: 25809487 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.643098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fox system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a cell-surface signaling (CSS) pathway employed by the bacterium to sense and respond to the presence of the heterologous siderophore ferrioxamine in the environment. This regulatory pathway controls the transcription of the foxA ferrioxamine receptor gene through the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor σ(FoxI). In the absence of ferrioxamine, the activity of σ(FoxI) is inhibited by the transmembrane anti-sigma factor FoxR. Upon binding of ferrioxamine by the FoxA receptor, FoxR is processed by a complex proteolytic cascade leading to the release and activation of σ(FoxI). Interestingly, we have recently shown that FoxR undergoes self-cleavage between the periplasmic Gly-191 and Thr-192 residues independent of the perception of ferrioxamine. This autoproteolytic event, which is widespread among CSS anti-sigma factors, produces two distinct domains that interact and function together to transduce the presence of the signal. In this work, we provide evidence that the self-cleavage of FoxR is not an enzyme-dependent process but is induced by an N-O acyl rearrangement. Mutation analysis showed that the nucleophilic side chain of the Thr-192 residue at +1 of the cleavage site is required for an attack on the preceding Gly-191, after which the resulting ester bond is likely hydrolyzed. Because the cleavage site is well preserved and the hydrolysis of periplasmic CSS anti-sigma factors is widely observed, we hypothesize that cleavage via an N-O acyl rearrangement is a conserved feature of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn C Bastiaansen
- From the Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada E-18008, Spain and Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and
| | - Maikel Wijtmans
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and
| | - María A Llamas
- From the Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada E-18008, Spain and
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