The small RNA RybA regulates key-genes in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids under peroxide stress in E. coli

Post-transcriptional regulation of aromatic amino acid metabolism by GcvB small RNA in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli synthesizes aromatic amino acids (AAAs) through the common pathway to produce the precursor, chorismate, and the three terminal pathways to convert chorismate into Phe, Tyr, and Trp. E. coli also imports exogenous AAAs through five transporters. GcvB small RNA post-transcriptionally regulates more than 50 genes involved in amino acid uptake and biosynthesis in E. coli, but the full extent of GcvB regulon is still underestimated. This study examined all genes involved in AAA biosynthesis and transport using translation reporter assay and qRT-PCR analysis. In addition to previously verified targets, aroC, aroP, and trpE, we identified new target genes that were significantly repressed by GcvB primarily via the R1 seed region. Exceptionally, GcvB strongly inhibits the expression of aroG, which encodes the major isozyme of the first reaction in the common pathway, through direct base pairing between the aroG translation initiation region and the GcvB R3 seed sequence. RNase E mediates the degradation of target mRNAs except aroC and aroP via its C-terminal domain. GcvB overexpression prolongs the lag phase and reduces the growth rate in minimal media supplemented with AAAs and confers resistance to an antibiotic compound, azaserine, by repressing AAA transporters.IMPORTANCEE. coli strains have been genetically modified in relevant transcription factors and biosynthetic enzymes for industrial use in the fermentative production of aromatic amino acids (AAAs) and their derivative compounds. This study focuses on GcvB small RNA, a global regulator of amino acid metabolism in E. coli, and identifies new GcvB targets involved in AAA biosynthesis and uptake. GcvB represses the expression of the first and last enzymes of the common pathway and the first enzymes of Trp and Phe terminal pathways. GcvB also limits import of AAAs. This paper documents the impact of RNA-mediated regulation on AAA metabolism in E. coli.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum uses ecologically relevant, exogenous quinones for extracellular electron transfer

IMPORTANCE

While quinones are essential for respiratory microorganisms, their importance for microbes that rely on fermentation metabolism is not understood. This gap in knowledge hinders our understanding of anaerobic microbial habitats, such in mammalian digestive tracts and fermented foods. We show that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a model fermentative lactic acid bacteria species abundant in human, animal, and insect microbiomes and fermented foods, uses multiple exogenous, environmental quinones as electron shuttles for a hybrid metabolism involving EET. Interestingly, quinones both stimulate this metabolism as well as cause oxidative stress when extracellular electron acceptors are absent. We also found that quinone-producing, lactic acid bacteria species commonly enriched together with L. plantarum in food fermentations accelerate L. plantarum growth and medium acidification through a mainly quinone- and EET-dependent mechanism. Thus, our work provides evidence of quinone cross-feeding as a key ecological feature of anaerobic microbial habitats.

Improvement of 2,3-butanediol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using a novel mutagenesis strategy

Although the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used to produce various bio-based chemicals, including solvents and organic acids, most of these products inhibit yeast growth at high concentrations. In general, it is difficult to rationally improve stress tolerance in yeast by modifying specific genes, because many of the genes involved in stress response remain unidentified. Previous studies have reported that various forms of stress tolerance in yeast were improved by introducing random mutations, such as DNA point mutations and DNA structural mutations. In this study, we developed a novel mutagenesis strategy that allows for the simultaneous performance of these two types of mutagenesis to construct a yeast variant with high 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) tolerance. The mutations were simultaneously introduced into S. cerevisiae YPH499, accompanied by a stepwise increase in the concentration of 2,3-BDO. The resulting mutant YPH499/pol3δ/BD_392 showed 4.9-fold higher cell concentrations than the parental strain after 96 h cultivation in medium containing 175 g/L 2,3-BDO. Afterwards, we carried out transcriptome analysis to characterize the 2,3-BDO-tolerant strain. Gene ontology enrichment analysis with RNA sequence data revealed an increase in expression levels of genes related to amino acid metabolic processes. Therefore, we hypothesize that the yeast acquired high 2,3-BDO tolerance by amino acid function. Our research provides a novel mutagenesis strategy that achieves efficient modification of the genome for improving tolerance to various types of stressors.

Transcriptional Landscape of a bla KPC-2 Plasmid and Response to Imipenem Exposure in Escherichia coli TOP10

The diffusion of KPC-2 carbapenemase is closely related to the spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae of the clonal-group 258 and linked to IncFII_K plasmids. Little is known about the biology of multi-drug resistant plasmids and the reasons of their successful dissemination. Using E. coli TOP10 strain harboring a multi-replicon IncFII_K-IncFIB bla_KPC−2-gene carrying plasmid pBIC1a from K. pneumoniae ST-258 clinical isolate BIC-1, we aimed to identify basal gene expression and the effects of imipenem exposure using whole transcriptome approach by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Independently of the antibiotic pressure, most of the plasmid-backbone genes were expressed at low levels. The most expressed pBIC1a genes were involved in antibiotic resistance (bla_KPC−2, bla_TEM and aph(3′)-I), in plasmid replication and conjugation, or associated to mobile elements. After antibiotic exposure, 34% of E. coli (pBIC1a) genome was differentially expressed. Induction of oxidative stress response was evidenced, with numerous upregulated genes of the SoxRS/OxyR oxydative stress regulons, the Fur regulon (for iron uptake machinery), and IscR regulon (for iron sulfur cluster synthesis). Nine genes carried by pBIC1a were up-regulated, including the murein DD-endopeptidase mepM and the copper resistance operon. Despite the presence of a carbapenemase, we observed a major impact on E. coli (pBIC1a) whole transcriptome after imipenem exposure, but no effect on the level of transcription of antimicrobial resistance genes. We describe adaptive responses of E. coli to imipenem-induced stress, and identified plasmid-encoded genes that could be involved in resistance to stressful environments.

Identification and Characterization of a Cis Antisense RNA of the rpoH Gene of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Antisense RNAs from complementary strands of protein coding genes regulate the expression of genes involved in many cellular processes. Using deep sequencing analysis of the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) transcriptome, a novel antisense RNA encoded on the strand complementary to the rpoH gene was revealed. In this study, the molecular features of this antisense RNA were assessed using northern blotting and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The 3,508 nt sequence of RNA was identified as the antisense RNA of the rpoH gene and was named ArpH. ArpH was found to attenuate the invasion of HeLa cells by S. Typhi by regulating the expression of SPI-1 genes. In an rpoH mutant strain, the invasive capacity of S. Typhi was increased, whereas overexpression of ArpH positively regulates rpoH mRNA levels. Results of this study suggest that the cis-encoded antisense RNA ArpH is likely to affect the invasive capacity of S. Typhi by regulating the expression of rpoH.

Identification of novel small RNAs in Burkholderia cenocepacia KC-01 expressed under iron limitation and oxidative stress conditions

Small RNA (sRNA)-mediated regulation of gene expression is a major tool to understand bacterial responses to environmental changes. In particular, pathogenic bacteria employ sRNAs to adapt to the host environment and establish infection. Members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, normally present in soil microbiota, cause nosocomial lung infection especially in hospitalized cystic fibrosis patients. We sequenced the draft genome of Burkholderia cenocepacia KC-01, isolated from the coastal saline soil, and identified several potential sRNAs in silico. Expression of seven small RNAs (Bc_KC_sr1-7) was subsequently confirmed. Two sRNAs (Bc_KC_sr1 and Bc_KC_sr2) were upregulated in response to iron depletion by 2,2'-bipyridyl and another two (Bc_KC_sr3 and Bc_KC_sr4) responded to the presence of 60 µM H₂O₂ in the culture media. Bc_Kc_sr5, 6 and 7 remained unchanged under these conditions. Expression of Bc_KC_sr2, 3 and 4 also altered with a change in temperature and incubation time. A search in the Rfam and BSRD databases identified Bc_Kc_sr4 as candidate738 in B. pseudomallei D286 and assigned Bc_Kc_sr5 and 6 as tmRNA and 6S RNA, respectively. The novel sRNAs were conserved in Burkholderiaceae but did not have any homologue in other genera. Bc_KC_sr1 and 4 were transcribed independently while the rest were part of the 3' UTR of their upstream genes. TargetRNA2 predicted that these sRNAs could target a host of cellular messages with very high stringency. Intriguingly, regions surrounding the translation initiation site for several enzymes involved in Fe-S cluster and siderophore biosynthesis, ROS homeostasis, porins, transcription and translation regulators, were among the suggested putative binding sites for these sRNAs.

Sequential induction of Fur-regulated genes in response to iron limitation in Bacillus subtilis

Bacterial cells modulate transcription in response to changes in iron availability. The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) senses intracellular iron availability and plays a central role in maintaining iron homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis Here we utilized FrvA, a high-affinity Fe²⁺ efflux transporter from Listeria monocytogenes, as an inducible genetic tool to deplete intracellular iron. We then characterized the responses of the Fur, FsrA, and PerR regulons as cells transition from iron sufficiency to deficiency. Our results indicate that the Fur regulon is derepressed in three distinct waves. First, uptake systems for elemental iron (efeUOB), ferric citrate (fecCDEF), and petrobactin (fpbNOPQ) are induced to prevent iron deficiency. Second, B. subtilis synthesizes its own siderophore bacillibactin (dhbACEBF) and turns on bacillibactin (feuABC) and hydroxamate siderophore (fhuBCGD) uptake systems to scavenge iron from the environment and flavodoxins (ykuNOP) to replace ferredoxins. Third, as iron levels decline further, an "iron-sparing" response (fsrA, fbpAB, and fbpC) is induced to block the translation of abundant iron-utilizing proteins and thereby permit the most essential iron-dependent enzymes access to the limited iron pools. ChIP experiments demonstrate that in vivo occupancy of Fur correlates with derepression of each operon, and the graded response observed here results, at least in part, from higher-affinity binding of Fur to the "late"-induced genes.

A FACS-based screening strategy to assess sequence-specific RNA-binding of Pumilio protein variants in E. coli

Sequence-specific and programmable binding of proteins to RNA bears the potential to detect and manipulate target RNAs. Applications include analysis of subcellular RNA localization or post-transcriptional regulation but require sequence-specificity to be readily adjustable to any target RNA. The Pumilio homology domain binds an eight nucleotide target sequence in a predictable manner allowing for rational design of variants with new specificities. We describe a high-throughput system for screening Pumilio variants based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting of E. coli. Our approach should help optimizing variants obtained from rational design regarding folding and stability or identifying new variants with alternative binding modes.

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with azithromycin selects for anti-inflammatory microbial metabolites in the emphysematous lung

Introduction

Azithromycin (AZM) reduces pulmonary inflammation and exacerbations in patients with COPD having emphysema. The antimicrobial effects of AZM on the lower airway microbiome are not known and may contribute to its beneficial effects. Here we tested whether AZM treatment affects the lung microbiome and bacterial metabolites that might contribute to changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines in the airways.

Methods

20 smokers (current or ex-smokers) with emphysema were randomised to receive AZM 250 mg or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed at baseline and after treatment. Measurements performed in acellular BAL fluid included 16S rRNA gene sequences and quantity; 39 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors and 119 identified metabolites. The response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by alveolar macrophages after ex-vivo treatment with AZM or bacterial metabolites was assessed.

Results

Compared with placebo, AZM did not alter bacterial burden but reduced α-diversity, decreasing 11 low abundance taxa, none of which are classical pulmonary pathogens. Compared with placebo, AZM treatment led to reduced in-vivo levels of chemokine (C-X-C) ligand 1 (CXCL1), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-12p40 in BAL, but increased bacterial metabolites including glycolic acid, indol-3-acetate and linoleic acid. Glycolic acid and indol-3-acetate, but not AZM, blunted ex-vivo LPS-induced alveolar macrophage generation of CXCL1, TNF-α, IL-13 and IL-12p40.

Conclusion

AZM treatment altered both lung microbiota and metabolome, affecting anti-inflammatory bacterial metabolites that may contribute to its therapeutic effects.

Trial registration number

NCT02557958.

Enterobactin as Part of the Oxidative Stress Response Repertoire

Microorganisms produce siderophores to facilitate iron uptake and even though this trait has been extensively studied, there is growing evidence suggesting that siderophores may have other physiological roles aside from iron acquisition. In support of this notion, we previously linked the archetypal siderophore enterobactin with oxidative stress alleviation. To further characterize this association, we studied the sensitivity of Escherichia coli strains lacking different components of the enterobactin system to the classical oxidative stressors hydrogen peroxide and paraquat. We observed that strains impaired in enterobactin production, uptake and hydrolysis were more susceptible to the oxidative damage caused by both compounds than the wild-type strain. In addition, meanwhile iron supplementation had little impact on the sensitivity, the reducing agent ascorbic acid alleviated the oxidative stress and therefore significantly decreased the sensitivity to the stressors. This indicated that the enterobactin-mediated protection is independent of its ability to scavenge iron. Furthermore, enterobactin supplementation conferred resistance to the entE mutant but did not have any protective effect on the fepG and fes mutants. Thus, we inferred that only after enterobactin is hydrolysed by Fes in the cell cytoplasm and iron is released, the free hydroxyl groups are available for radical stabilization. This hypothesis was validated testing the ability of enterobactin to scavenge radicals in vitro. Given the strong connection between enterobactin and oxidative stress, we studied the transcription of the entE gene and the concomitant production of the siderophore in response to such kind of stress. Interestingly, we observed that meanwhile iron represses the expression and production of the siderophore, hydrogen peroxide and paraquat favour these events even if iron is present. Our results support the involvement of enterobactin as part of the oxidative stress response and highlight the existence of a novel regulation mechanism for enterobactin biosynthesis.

Small RNAs Regulate Primary and Secondary Metabolism in Gram-negative Bacteria

Over the last decade, small (often noncoding) RNA molecules have been discovered as important regulators influencing myriad aspects of bacterial physiology and virulence. In particular, small RNAs (sRNAs) have been implicated in control of both primary and secondary metabolic pathways in many bacterial species. This chapter describes characteristics of the major classes of sRNA regulators, and highlights what is known regarding their mechanisms of action. Specific examples of sRNAs that regulate metabolism in gram-negative bacteria are discussed, with a focus on those that regulate gene expression by base pairing with mRNA targets to control their translation and stability.

Engineering of high yield production of L-serine in Escherichia coli

L-serine is a widely used amino acid that has been proposed as a potential building block biochemical. The high theoretical yield from glucose makes a fermentation based production attractive. In order to achieve this goal, serine degradation to pyruvate and glycine in E. coli MG1655 was prevented by deletion of three L-serine deaminases sdaA, sdaB, and tdcG, as well as serine hydroxyl methyl transferase (SHMT) encoded by glyA. Upon overexpression of the serine production pathway, consisting of a feedback resistant version of serA along with serB and serC, this quadruple deletion strain showed a very high serine production yield (0.45 g/g glucose) during small-scale batch fermentation in minimal medium. Serine, however, was found to be highly toxic even at low concentrations to this strain, which lead to slow growth and production during fed batch fermentation, resulting in a serine production of 8.3 g/L. The production strain was therefore evolved by random mutagenesis to achieve increased tolerance towards serine. Additionally, overexpression of eamA, a cysteine/homoserine transporter was demonstrated to increase serine tolerance from 1.6 g/L to 25 g/L. During fed batch fermentation, the resulting strain lead to the serine production titer of 11.7 g/L with yield of 0.43 g/g glucose, which is the highest yield reported so far for any organism.

5′-UTR of malS increases the invasive capacity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi by influencing the expression of bax

ABSTRACT 

Aim: An RNA-seq analysis recently identified a 236-nucleotide transcript upstream from malS in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Here, we investigated its molecular characteristics and function. Materials & methods: RACE and northern blotting were used to determine the molecular characteristics of the sequence, and mutagenesis, microarray, immunoblotting and an invasion assay were used to investigate the functions of the transcript. Results: The transcript was identified as the malS 5′-untranslated region (UTR), which could influence the expression of the flagellar and SPI-1 genes and the invasion of HeLa cells by S. Typhi. Deletion of bax increased the expression of the invasion genes and the invasive capacity of S. Typhi, whereas the expression of the malS 5′-UTR reduced the expression of bax. Conclusion: The malS 5′-UTR reduces the expression of bax and increases the invasive capacity of S. Typhi.

The Escherichia coli small protein MntS and exporter MntP optimize the intracellular concentration of manganese

Escherichia coli does not routinely import manganese, but it will do so when iron is unavailable, so that manganese can substitute for iron as an enzyme cofactor. When intracellular manganese levels are low, the cell induces the MntH manganese importer plus MntS, a small protein of unknown function; when manganese levels are high, the cell induces the MntP manganese exporter and reduces expression of MntH and MntS. The role of MntS has not been clear. Previous work showed that forced MntS synthesis under manganese-rich conditions caused bacteriostasis. Here we find that when manganese is scarce, MntS helps manganese to activate a variety of enzymes. Its overproduction under manganese-rich conditions caused manganese to accumulate to very high levels inside the cell; simultaneously, iron levels dropped precipitously, apparently because manganese-bound Fur blocked the production of iron importers. Under these conditions, heme synthesis stopped, ultimately depleting cytochrome oxidase activity and causing the failure of aerobic metabolism. Protoporphyrin IX accumulated, indicating that the combination of excess manganese and iron deficiency had stalled ferrochelatase. The same chain of events occurred when mutants lacking MntP, the manganese exporter, were exposed to manganese. Genetic analysis suggested the possibility that MntS exerts this effect by inhibiting MntP. We discuss a model wherein during transitions between low- and high-manganese environments E. coli uses MntP to compensate for MntH overactivity, and MntS to compensate for MntP overactivity.

Muconic acid production from glucose using enterobactin precursors in Escherichia coli

Muconic acid (MA) is a promising bulk chemical due to its extensive industrial applications in the production of adipic acid and other valuable, biodegradable intermediates. MA is heretofore mainly produced from petrochemicals by organic reactions which are not environmentally friendly or renewable. Biological production processes provide a promising alternative for MA production. We designed an artificial pathway in Escherichia coli for the biosynthesis of MA using the catechol group of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, an intermediate in the enterobactin biosynthesis pathway. This approach consists of two heterologous microbial enzymes, including 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase. The metabolic flow of carbon into the heterologous pathway was optimized by increasing the flux from chorismate through the enterobactin biosynthesis pathway and by regulating the shikimate pathway. Metabolic optimization enabled a concentration of 605.18 mg/L of MA from glucose in a shaking flask culture, a value nearly 484-fold higher than that of the initial recombinant strain. The results indicated that the production of MA from this pathway has the potential for further improvement.

Deciphering Fur transcriptional regulatory network highlights its complex role beyond iron metabolism in Escherichia coli

The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of iron metabolism. However, the full regulatory potential of Fur remains undefined. Here we comprehensively reconstruct the Fur transcriptional regulatory network in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 in response to iron availability using genome-wide measurements (ChIP-exo and RNA-seq). Integrative data analysis reveals that a total of 81 genes in 42 transcription units are directly regulated by three different modes of Fur regulation, including apo- and holo-Fur activation and holo-Fur repression. We show that Fur connects iron transport and utilization enzymes with negative-feedback loop pairs for iron homeostasis. In addition, direct involvement of Fur in the regulation of DNA synthesis, energy metabolism, and biofilm development is found. These results show how Fur exhibits a comprehensive regulatory role affecting many fundamental cellular processes linked to iron metabolism in order to coordinate the overall response of E. coli to iron availability.

Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae in spaceflight reveal mechanisms underlying environmental adaptability

The emergence and rapid spread of New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains has caused a great concern worldwide. To better understand the mechanisms underlying environmental adaptation of those highly drug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains, we took advantage of the China's Shenzhou 10 spacecraft mission to conduct comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of a NDM-1 K. pneumoniae strain (ATCC BAA-2146) being cultivated under different conditions. The samples were recovered from semisolid medium placed on the ground (D strain), in simulated space condition (M strain), or in Shenzhou 10 spacecraft (T strain) for analysis. Our data revealed multiple variations underlying pathogen adaptation into different environments in terms of changes in morphology, H₂O₂ tolerance and biofilm formation ability, genomic stability and regulation of metabolic pathways. Additionally, we found a few non-coding RNAs to be differentially regulated. The results are helpful for better understanding the adaptive mechanisms of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.

Positional effects of AAN motifs in rpoS regulation by sRNAs and Hfq

The Escherichia coli stationary phase transcription factor RpoS is translated in response to small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), which base pair with the rpoS mRNA leader. The bacterial Sm-like protein Hfq anneals sRNAs with their mRNA targets by simultaneously binding the mRNA and sRNA. Intriguingly, Hfq is recruited to the rpoS leader via AAN motifs far upstream of the sRNA. SHAPE (selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation and primer extension) chemical footprinting showed that the rpoS leader is divided into a far upstream domain, an Hfq binding domain, and a downstream inhibitory stem-loop containing the sRNA and ribosome binding sites. To investigate how Hfq promotes sRNA-mRNA base pairing from a distance, we deleted the natural AAN Hfq binding site, and we inserted artificial AAN binding sites at various positions in the rpoS leader. All the relocated AAN motifs restored tight Hfq binding in vitro, but only insertion at the natural position restored Hfq-dependent sRNA annealing in vitro and sRNA regulation of rpoS translation in vivo. Furthermore, U-rich motifs in the downstream inhibitory domain stabilized the rpoS mRNA-Hfq complex and contributed to regulation of rpoS expression. We propose that the natural Hfq binding domain is optimal for positive regulation because it recruits Hfq to the mRNA and allows it to act on incoming sRNAs without opening the inhibitory stem-loop when sRNA is absent.

Regulation of iron transport systems in Enterobacteriaceae in response to oxygen and iron availability

Iron is an essential nutrient for most bacteria. Depending on the oxygen available in the surrounding environment, iron is found in two distinct forms: ferrous (Fe(II)) or ferric (Fe(III)). Bacteria utilize different transport systems for the uptake of the two different forms of iron. In oxic growth conditions, iron is found in its insoluble, ferric form, and in anoxic growth conditions iron is found in its soluble, ferrous form. Enterobacteriaceae have adapted to transporting the two forms of iron by utilizing the global, oxygen-sensing regulators, ArcA and Fnr to regulate iron transport genes in response to oxygen.

AhpC is required for optimal production of enterobactin by Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (AhpC) is a peroxiredoxin that detoxifies peroxides. Here we show an additional role for AhpC in cellular iron metabolism of E. coli. Deletion of ahpC resulted in reduced growth and reduced accumulation of iron by cells grown in low-iron media. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analysis of culture supernatants showed that the ahpC mutant secreted much less enterobactin, the siderophore that chelates and transports ferric iron under iron-limiting conditions, than wild-type E. coli did. The ahpC mutant produced less 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, the intermediate in the enterobactin biosynthesis pathway, and providing 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate restored wild-type growth of the ahpC mutant. These data indicated that the defect was in an early step in enterobactin biosynthesis. Providing additional copies of entC, which functions in the first dedicated step of enterobactin biosynthesis, but not of other enterobactin biosynthesis genes, suppressed the mutant phenotype. Additionally, providing either shikimate or a mixture of para-aminobenzoate, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine, which, like enterobactin, are synthesized from the precursor chorismate, also suppressed the mutant phenotype. These data suggested that AhpC affected the activity of EntC or the availability of the chorismate substrate.