ABSTRACTBacterial choline degradation in the human gut has been associated with cancer and heart disease. In addition, recent studies found that a bacterial microcompartment is involved in choline utilization byProteusandDesulfovibriospecies. However, many aspects of this process have not been fully defined. Here, we investigate choline degradation by the uropathogenEscherichia coli536. Growth studies indicatedE. coli536 degrades choline primarily by fermentation. Electron microscopy indicated that a bacterial microcompartment was used for this process. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that the choline utilization (cut) gene cluster ofE. coli536 includes two operons, one containing three genes and a main operon of 13 genes. Regulatory studies indicate that thecutXgene encodes a positive transcriptional regulator required for induction of the maincutoperon in response to choline supplementation. Each of the 16 genes in thecutcluster was individually deleted, and phenotypes were examined. ThecutX,cutY,cutF,cutO,cutC,cutD,cutU, andcutVgenes were required for choline degradation, but the remaining genes of thecutcluster were not essential under the conditions used. The reasons for these varied phenotypes are discussed.IMPORTANCEHere, we investigate choline degradation inE. coli536. These studies provide a basis for understanding a new type of bacterial microcompartment and may provide deeper insight into the link between choline degradation in the human gut and cancer and heart disease. These are also the first studies of choline degradation inE. coli536, an organism for which sophisticated genetic analysis methods are available. In addition, thecutgene cluster ofE. coli536 is located in pathogenicity island II (PAI-II536) and hence might contribute to pathogenesis.
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