scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of the LysR-Type Transcriptional Regulator HsdR for Steroid-Inducible Expression of the 3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Carbonyl Reductase Gene in Comamonas testosteroni

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 941-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Gong ◽  
Guangming Xiong ◽  
Edmund Maser
Keyword(s):  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Carbonyl Reductase ◽  
Comamonas Testosteroni ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Enzyme

ABSTRACT3α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/carbonyl reductase (3α-HSD/CR) fromComamonas testosteroniis a key enzyme in steroid degradation in soil and water. 3α-HSD/CR gene (hsdA) expression can be induced by steroids like testosterone and progesterone. Previously, we have shown that the induction ofhsdAexpression by steroids is a derepression where steroidal inducers bind to two repressors, RepA and RepB, thereby preventing the blocking ofhsdAtranscription and translation, respectively (G. Xiong and E. Maser, J. Biol. Chem.276:9961-9970, 2001; G. Xiong, H. J. Martin, and E. Maser, J. Biol. Chem.278:47400–47407, 2003). In the present study, a new LysR-type transcriptional factor, HsdR, for 3α-HSD/CR expression inC. testosteronihas been identified. ThehsdRgene is located 2.58 kb downstream fromhsdAon theC. testosteroniATCC 11996 chromosome with an orientation opposite that ofhsdA. ThehsdRgene was cloned and recombinant HsdR protein was produced, as was anti-HsdR polyclonal antibodies. While heterologous transformation systems revealed that HsdR activates the expression of thehsdAgene, electrophoresis mobility shift assays showed that HsdR specifically binds to thehsdApromoter region. Interestingly, the activity of HsdR is dependent on decreased repression by RepA. Furthermore,in vitrobinding assays indicated that HsdR can come into contact with RNA polymerase. As expected, anhsdRknockout mutant expressed low levels of 3α-HSD/CR compared to that of wild-typeC. testosteroniafter testosterone induction. In conclusion, HsdR is a positive transcription factor for thehsdAgene and promotes the induction of 3α-HSD/CR expression inC. testosteroni.

scholarly journals Novel Transcriptional Regulons for Autotrophic Cycle Genes in Crenarchaeota

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (14) ◽  
pp. 2383-2391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Semen A. Leyn ◽  
Irina A. Rodionova ◽  
Xiaoqing Li ◽  
Dmitry A. Rodionov
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Comparative Genomics ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genome Context

ABSTRACTAutotrophic microorganisms are able to utilize carbon dioxide as their only carbon source, or, alternatively, many of them can grow heterotrophically on organics. Different variants of autotrophic pathways have been identified in various lineages of the phylumCrenarchaeota. Aerobic members of the orderSulfolobalesutilize the hydroxypropionate-hydroxybutyrate cycle (HHC) to fix inorganic carbon, whereas anaerobicThermoprotealesuse the dicarboxylate-hydroxybutyrate cycle (DHC). Knowledge of transcriptional regulation of autotrophic pathways inArchaeais limited. We applied a comparative genomics approach to predict novel autotrophic regulons in theCrenarchaeota. We report identification of two novel DNA motifs associated with the autotrophic pathway genes in theSulfolobales(HHC box) andThermoproteales(DHC box). Based on genome context evidence, the HHC box regulon was attributed to a novel transcription factor from the TrmB family named HhcR. Orthologs of HhcR are present in allSulfolobalesgenomes but were not found in other lineages. A predicted HHC box regulatory motif was confirmed byin vitrobinding assays with the recombinant HhcR protein fromMetallosphaera yellowstonensis. For the DHC box regulon, we assigned a different potential regulator, named DhcR, which is restricted to the orderThermoproteales. DhcR inThermoproteus neutrophilus(Tneu_0751) was previously identified as a DNA-binding protein with high affinity for the promoter regions of two autotrophic operons. The global HhcR and DhcR regulons reconstructed by comparative genomics were reconciled with available omics data inMetallosphaeraandThermoproteusspp. The identified regulons constitute two novel mechanisms for transcriptional control of autotrophic pathways in theCrenarchaeota.IMPORTANCELittle is known about transcriptional regulation of carbon dioxide fixation pathways inArchaea. We previously applied the comparative genomics approach for reconstruction of DtxR family regulons in diverse lineages ofArchaea. Here, we utilize similar computational approaches to identify novel regulatory motifs for genes that are autotrophically induced in microorganisms from two lineages ofCrenarchaeotaand to reconstruct the respective regulons. The predicted novel regulons in archaeal genomes control the majority of autotrophic pathway genes and also other carbon and energy metabolism genes. The HhcR regulon was experimentally validated by DNA-binding assays inMetallosphaeraspp. Novel regulons described for the first time in this work provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of autotrophic pathways inArchaea.

scholarly journals SpyAD, a Moonlighting Protein of Group A Streptococcus Contributing to Bacterial Division and Host Cell Adhesion

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2890-2901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilena Gallotta ◽  
Giovanni Gancitano ◽  
Giampiero Pietrocola ◽  
Marirosa Mora ◽  
Alfredo Pezzicoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moonlighting Protein ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACTGroup A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen causing a wide repertoire of mild and severe diseases for which no vaccine is yet available. We recently reported the identification of three protein antigens that in combination conferred wide protection against GAS infection in mice. Here we focused our attention on the characterization of one of these three antigens, Spy0269, a highly conserved, surface-exposed, and immunogenic protein of unknown function. Deletion of thespy0269gene in a GAS M1 isolate resulted in very long bacterial chains, which is indicative of an impaired capacity of the knockout mutant to properly divide. Confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the protein was mainly localized at the cell septum and could interactin vitrowith the cell division protein FtsZ, leading us to hypothesize that Spy0269 is a member of the GAS divisome machinery. Predicted structural domains and sequence homologies with known streptococcal adhesins suggested that this antigen could also play a role in mediating GAS interaction with host cells. This hypothesis was confirmed by showing that recombinant Spy0269 could bind to mammalian epithelial cellsin vitroand thatLactococcus lactisexpressing Spy0269 on its cell surface could adhere to mammalian cellsin vitroand to mice nasal mucosain vivo. On the basis of these data, we believe that Spy0269 is involved both in bacterial cell division and in adhesion to host cells and we propose to rename this multifunctional moonlighting protein as SpyAD (StreptococcuspyogenesAdhesion andDivision protein).

scholarly journals Genetic regulation, biochemical properties and physiological importance of arginase from Sinorhizobium meliloti

Microbiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 166 (5) ◽  
pp. 484-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Arteaga Ide ◽  
Victor M. Hernández ◽  
Liliana Medina-Aparicio ◽  
Edson Carcamo-Noriega ◽  
Lourdes Girard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Arginase Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Arginine Catabolism

In bacteria, l-arginine is a precursor of various metabolites and can serve as a source of carbon and/or nitrogen. Arginine catabolism by arginase, which hydrolyzes arginine to l-ornithine and urea, is common in nature but has not been studied in symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The genome of the alfalfa microsymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 has two genes annotated as arginases, argI1 (smc03091) and argI2 (sma1711). Biochemical assays with purified ArgI1 and ArgI2 (as 6His-Sumo-tagged proteins) showed that only ArgI1 had detectable arginase activity. A 1021 argI1 null mutant lacked arginase activity and grew at a drastically reduced rate with arginine as sole nitrogen source. Wild-type growth and arginase activity were restored in the argI1 mutant genetically complemented with a genomically integrated argI1 gene. In the wild-type, arginase activity and argI1 transcription were induced several fold by exogenous arginine. ArgI1 purified as a 6His-Sumo-tagged protein had its highest in vitro enzymatic activity at pH 7.5 with Ni2+ as cofactor. The enzyme was also active with Mn2+ and Co2+, both of which gave the enzyme the highest activities at a more alkaline pH. The 6His-Sumo-ArgI1 comprised three identical subunits based on the migration of the urea-dissociated protein in a native polyacrylamide gel. A Lrp-like regulator (smc03092) divergently transcribed from argI1 was required for arginase induction by arginine or ornithine. This regulator was designated ArgIR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that purified ArgIR bound to the argI1 promoter in a region preceding the predicted argI1 transcriptional start. Our results indicate that ArgI1 is the sole arginase in S. meliloti , that it contributes substantially to arginine catabolism in vivo and that argI1 induction by arginine is dependent on ArgIR.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of EspF Variants in Inhibition of Escherichia coli Phagocytosis by Macrophages and Inhibition of E. coli Translocation through Human- and Bovine-Derived M Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 4716-4729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Tahoun ◽  
Gabriella Siszler ◽  
Kevin Spears ◽  
Sean McAteer ◽  
Jai Tree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
M Cells ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
M Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Coculture System

ABSTRACTThe EspF protein is secreted by the type III secretion system of enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EPEC and EHEC, respectively). EspF sequences differ between EHEC O157:H7, EHEC O26:H11, and EPEC O127:H6 in terms of the number of SH3-binding polyproline-rich repeats and specific residues in these regions, as well as residues in the amino domain involved in cellular localization. EspFO127is important for the inhibition of phagocytosis by EPEC and also limits EPEC translocation through antigen-sampling cells (M cells). EspFO127has been shown to have effects on cellular organelle function and interacts with several host proteins, including N-WASP and sorting nexin 9 (SNX9). In this study, we compared the capacities of differentespFalleles to inhibit (i) bacterial phagocytosis by macrophages, (ii) translocation through an M-cell coculture system, and (iii) uptake by and translocation through cultured bovine epithelial cells. TheespFgene fromE. coliserotype O157 (espFO157) allele was significantly less effective at inhibiting phagocytosis and also had reduced capacity to inhibitE. colitranslocation through a human-derivedin vitroM-cell coculture system in comparison toespFO127andespFO26. In contrast,espFO157was the most effective allele at restricting bacterial uptake into and translocation through primary epithelial cells cultured from the bovine terminal rectum, the predominant colonization site of EHEC O157 in cattle and a site containing M-like cells. Although LUMIER binding assays demonstrated differences in the interactions of the EspF variants with SNX9 and N-WASP, we propose that other, as-yet-uncharacterized interactions contribute to the host-based variation in EspF activity demonstrated here.

scholarly journals ace, Which Encodes an Adhesin in Enterococcus faecalis, Is Regulated by Ers and Is Involved in Virulence

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 2832-2839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Lebreton ◽  
Eliette Riboulet-Bisson ◽  
Pascale Serror ◽  
Maurizio Sanguinetti ◽  
Brunella Posteraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Reverse Transcription Quantitative Pcr

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that causes numerous infectious diseases in humans and is a major agent of nosocomial infections. In this work, we showed that the recently identified transcriptional regulator Ers (PrfA like), known to be involved in the cellular metabolism and the virulence of E. faecalis, acts as a repressor of ace, which encodes a collagen-binding protein. We characterized the promoter region of ace, and transcriptional analysis by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and mobility shift protein-DNA binding assays revealed that Ers directly regulates the expression of ace. Transcription of ace appeared to be induced by the presence of bile salts, probably via the deregulation of ers. Moreover, with an ace deletion mutant and the complemented strain and by using an insect (Galleria mellonella) virulence model, as well as in vivo-in vitro murine macrophage models, we demonstrated for the first time that Ace can be considered a virulence factor for E. faecalis. Furthermore, animal experiments revealed that Ace is also involved in urinary tract infection by E. faecalis.

scholarly journals Indirect Immunodetection of Fungal Fragments by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 5794-5803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komlavi Anani Afanou ◽  
Anne Straumfors ◽  
Asbjørn Skogstad ◽  
Ajay P. Nayak ◽  
Ida Skaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Field Emission ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Scanning Electron

ABSTRACTSubmicronic fungal fragments have been observed inin vitroaerosolization experiments. The occurrence of these particles has therefore been suggested to contribute to respiratory health problems observed in mold-contaminated indoor environments. However, the role of submicronic fragments in exacerbating adverse health effects has remained unclear due to limitations associated with detection methods. In the present study, we report the development of an indirect immunodetection assay that utilizes chicken polyclonal antibodies developed against spores fromAspergillus versicolorand high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Immunolabeling was performed withA. versicolorfragments immobilized and fixed onto poly-l-lysine-coated polycarbonate filters. Ninety percent of submicronic fragments and 1- to 2-μm fragments, compared to 100% of >2-μm fragments generated from pure freeze-dried mycelial fragments ofA. versicolor, were positively labeled. In proof-of-concept experiments, air samples collected from moldy indoor environments were evaluated using the immunolabeling technique. Our results indicated that 13% of the total collected particles were derived from fungi. This fraction comprises 79% of the fragments that were detected by immunolabeling and 21% of the spore particles that were morphologically identified. The methods reported in this study enable the enumeration of fungal particles, including submicronic fragments, in a complex heterogeneous environmental sample.

scholarly journals Transcriptional regulation of human and murine 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-7 confers its participation in cholesterol biosynthesis

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ohnesorg ◽  
Brigitte Keller ◽  
Martin Hrabé de Angelis ◽  
Jerzy Adamski
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Cholesterol Biosynthesis ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay

In both humans and mice, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-7 (HSD17B7) was described as possessing dual enzymatic functionality. The enzyme was first shown to be able to convert estrone to estradiol in vitro. Later involvement of this enzyme in postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis was postulated (conversion of zymosterone to zymosterol) and could be proven in vitro. In this work, we performed a detailed analysis of the transcriptional regulation of both the human and murine genes. Despite relatively low sequence similarity, both promoters contain similar contexts of transcription factor-binding sites. The participation of these sites in transcriptional regulation of HSD17B7 was proven by electro-mobility shift assay and site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding binding sites. We describe novel involvement of vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor and provide new information on the regulation of HSD17B7 expression by sterol regulatory element-binding protein and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, the latter known from other genes of cholesterogenic enzymes. The results of our study provide unequivocal evidence for a role of HSD17B7 in cholesterol biosynthesis.

scholarly journals Negative Regulation of Ectoine Uptake and Catabolism in Sinorhizobium meliloti: Characterization of the EhuR Gene

2016 ◽  
Vol 199 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinli Yu ◽  
Hanlin Cai ◽  
Yanfeng Zhang ◽  
Yongzhi He ◽  
Lincai Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Dnase I Footprinting ◽  
Gntr Family

ABSTRACT Ectoine has osmoprotective effects on Sinorhizobium meliloti that differ from its effects in other bacteria. Ectoine does not accumulate in S. meliloti cells; instead, it is degraded. The products of the ehuABCD-eutABCDE operon were previously discovered to be responsible for the uptake and catabolism of ectoine in S. meliloti. However, the mechanism by which ectoine is involved in the regulation of the ehuABCD-eutABCDE operon remains unclear. The ehuR gene, which is upstream of and oriented in the same direction as the ehuABCD-eutABCDE operon, encodes a member of the MocR/GntR family of transcriptional regulators. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and promoter-lacZ reporter fusion experiments revealed that EhuR represses transcription of the ehuABCD-eutABCDE operon, but this repression is inhibited in the presence of ectoine. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting assays revealed that EhuR bound specifically to the DNA regions overlapping the −35 region of the ehuA promoter and the +1 region of the ehuR promoter. Surface plasmon resonance assays further demonstrated direct interactions between EhuR and the two promoters, although EhuR was found to have higher affinity for the ehuA promoter than for the ehuR promoter. In vitro, DNA binding by EhuR could be directly inhibited by a degradation product of ectoine. Our work demonstrates that EhuR is an important negative transcriptional regulator involved in the regulation of ectoine uptake and catabolism and is likely regulated by one or more end products of ectoine catabolism. IMPORTANCE Sinorhizobium meliloti is an important soil bacterium that displays symbiotic interactions with legume hosts. Ectoine serves as a key osmoprotectant for S. meliloti. However, ectoine does not accumulate in the cells; rather, it is degraded. In this study, we characterized the transcriptional regulation of the operon responsible for ectoine uptake and catabolism in S. meliloti. We identified and characterized the transcription repressor EhuR, which is the first MocR/GntR family member found to be involved in the regulation of compatible solute uptake and catabolism. More importantly, we demonstrated for the first time that an ectoine catabolic end product could modulate EhuR DNA-binding activity. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the unique mechanism of ectoine-induced osmoprotection in S. meliloti.

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