scholarly journals Localization and Cellular Amounts of the WalRKJ (VicRKX) Two-Component Regulatory System Proteins in Serotype 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (17) ◽  
pp. 4388-4394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Wayne ◽  
Lok-To Sham ◽  
Ho-Ching T. Tsui ◽  
Alina D. Gutu ◽  
Skye M. Barendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Immunofluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Two Component

ABSTRACT The WalRK two-component regulatory system coordinates gene expression that maintains cell wall homeostasis and responds to antibiotic stress in low-GC Gram-positive bacteria. Phosphorylated WalR (VicR) of the major human respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (WalR Spn ) positively regulates transcription of several surface virulence genes and, most critically, pcsB, which encodes an essential cell division protein. Despite numerous studies of several species, little is known about the signals sensed by the WalK histidine kinase or the function of the WalJ ancillary protein encoded in the walRKSpn operon. To better understand the functions of the WalRKJ Spn proteins in S. pneumoniae, we performed experiments to determine their cellular localization and amounts. In contrast to WalK from Bacillus subtilis (WalK Bsu ), which is localized at division septa, immunofluorescence microscopy showed that WalK Spn is distributed throughout the cell periphery. WalJ Spn is also localized to the cell surface periphery, whereas WalR Spn was found to be localized in the cytoplasm around the nucleoid. In fractionation experiments, WalR Spn was recovered from the cytoplasmic fraction, while WalK Spn and the majority of WalJ Spn were recovered from the cell membrane fraction. This fractionation is consistent with the localization patterns observed. Lastly, we determined the cellular amounts of WalRKJ Spn by quantitative Western blotting. The WalR Spn response regulator is relatively abundant and present at levels of ≈6,200 monomers per cell, which are ≈14-fold greater than the amount of the WalK Spn histidine kinase, which is present at ≈460 dimers (920 monomers) per cell. We detected ≈1,200 monomers per cell of WalJ Spn ancillary protein, similar to the amount of WalK Spn .

scholarly journals The Two-Component Regulatory System TCS08 Is Involved in Cellobiose Metabolism of Streptococcus pneumoniae R6

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (4) ◽  
pp. 1342-1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart J. McKessar ◽  
Regine Hakenbeck
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Two Component System ◽  
Transcription Profiles ◽  
Regulatory Systems ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Cognate Response Regulator ◽  
Gram Positive Cocci

ABSTRACT The two-component system TCS08 is one of the regulatory systems that is important for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In order to investigate the TCS08 regulon, we have analyzed transcription profiles of mutants derived from S. pneumoniae R6 by microarray analysis. Since deletion mutants are often without a significant phenotype, we constructed a mutation in the histidine kinase HK08, T133P, in analogy to the phosphatase mutation T230P in the H box of the S. pneumoniae CiaH kinase described recently (D. Zähner, K. Kaminski, M. van der Linden, T. Mascher, M. Merai, and R. Hakenbeck, J. Mol. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 4:211-216, 2002). In addition, a deletion mutation was constructed in rr08, encoding the cognate response regulator. The most heavily suppressed genes in the hk08 mutant were spr0276 to spr0282, encoding a putative cellobiose phosphoenolpyruvate sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). Whereas the R6 Smr parent strain and the Δrr08 mutant readily grew on cellobiose, the hk08 mutant and selected mutants with deletions in the PTS cluster did not, strongly suggesting that TCS08 is involved in the catabolism of cellobiose. Homologues of the TCS08 system were found in closely related streptococci and other gram-positive cocci. However, the genes spr0276 to spr0282, encoding the putative cellobiose PTS, represent a genomic island in S. pneumoniae and homologues were found in Streptococcus gordonii only, suggesting that this system might contribute to the pathogenicity potential of the pneumococcus.

scholarly journals Fumarate Regulation of Gene Expression in Escherichia coli by the DcuSR (dcuSR Genes) Two-Component Regulatory System

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (20) ◽  
pp. 5421-5425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Zientz ◽  
Johannes Bongaerts ◽  
Gottfried Unden
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Expression In Escherichia Coli ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Periplasmic Domain

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli the genes encoding the anaerobic fumarate respiratory system are transcriptionally regulated by C4-dicarboxylates. The regulation is effected by a two-component regulatory system, DcuSR, consisting of a sensory histidine kinase (DcuS) and a response regulator (DcuR). DcuS and DcuR are encoded by the dcuSR genes (previouslyyjdHG) at 93.7 min on the calculated E. coli map. Inactivation of the dcuR anddcuS genes caused the loss of C4-dicarboxylate-stimulated synthesis of fumarate reductase (frdABCD genes) and of the anaerobic fumarate-succinate antiporter DcuB (dcuB gene). DcuS is predicted to contain a large periplasmic domain as the supposed site for C4-dicarboxylate sensing. Regulation by DcuR and DcuS responded to the presence of the C4-dicarboxylates fumarate, succinate, malate, aspartate, tartrate, and maleate. Since maleate is not taken up by the bacteria under these conditions, the carboxylates presumably act from without. Genes of the aerobic C4-dicarboxylate pathway encoding succinate dehydrogenase (sdhCDAB) and the aerobic succinate carrier (dctA) are only marginally or negatively regulated by the DcuSR system. The CitAB two-component regulatory system, which is highly similar to DcuSR, had no effect on C4-dicarboxylate regulation of any of the genes.

scholarly journals The Cpx Envelope Stress Response Is Controlled by Amplification and Feedback Inhibition

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (17) ◽  
pp. 5263-5272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Raivio ◽  
Daniel L. Popkin ◽  
Thomas J. Silhavy
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Concomitant Increase ◽  
Envelope Stress ◽  
Two Component

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli, the Cpx two-component regulatory system activates expression of protein folding and degrading factors in response to misfolded proteins in the bacterial envelope (inner membrane, periplasm, and outer membrane). It is comprised of the histidine kinase CpxA and the response regulator CpxR. This response plays a role in protection from stresses, such as elevated pH, as well as in the biogenesis of virulence factors. Here, we show that the Cpx periplasmic stress response is subject to amplification and repression through positive and negative autofeedback mechanisms. Western blot and operon fusion analyses demonstrated that the cpxRA operon is autoactivated. Conditions that lead to elevated levels of phosphorylated CpxR cause a concomitant increase in transcription ofcpxRA. Conversely, overproduction of CpxP, a small, Cpx-regulated protein of previously unknown function, represses the regulon and can block activation of the pathway. This repression is dependent on an intact CpxA sensing domain. The ability to autoactivate and then subsequently repress allows for a temporary amplification of the Cpx response that may be important in rescuing cells from transitory stresses and cueing the appropriately timed elaboration of virulence factors.

scholarly journals Succinoglycan Production by Rhizobium meliloti Is Regulated through the ExoS-ChvI Two-Component Regulatory System

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Ping Cheng ◽  
Graham C. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
Rhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
System A ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Close Homolog

ABSTRACT The Rhizobium meliloti exoS gene is involved in regulating the production of succinoglycan, which plays a crucial role in the establishment of the symbiosis between R. melilotiRm1021 and its host plant, alfalfa. TheexoS96::Tn5 mutation causes the upregulation of the succinoglycan biosynthetic genes, thereby resulting in the overproduction of succinoglycan. Through cloning and sequencing, we found that the exoS gene is a close homolog of theAgrobacterium tumefaciens chvG gene, which has been proposed to encode the sensor protein of the ChvG-ChvI two-component regulatory system, a member of the EnvZ-OmpR family. Further analyses revealed the existence of a newly discovered A. tumefaciens chvI homolog located just upstream of the R. meliloti exoS gene. R. meliloti ChvI may serve as the response regulator of ExoS in a two-component regulatory system. By using ExoS-specific antibodies, it was found that the ExoS protein cofractionated with membrane proteins, suggesting that it is located in the cytoplasmic membrane. By using the same antibodies, it was shown that the exoS96::Tn5 allele encodes an N-terminal truncated derivative of ExoS. The cytoplasmic histidine kinase domain of ExoS was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified, as was the R. meliloti ChvI protein. The ChvI protein autophosphorylated in the presence of acetylphosphate, and the ExoS cytoplasmic domain fragment autophosphorylated at a histidine residue in the presence of ATP. The ChvI protein was phosphorylated in the presence of ATP only when the histidine kinase domain of ExoS was also present. We propose a model for regulation of succinoglycan production by R. meliloti through the ExoS-ChvI two-component regulatory system.

scholarly journals Inhibition of competence development in Streptococcus pneumoniae by increased basal-level expression of the ComDE two-component regulatory system

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Guiral ◽  
Vincent Hénard ◽  
Chantal Granadel ◽  
Bernard Martin ◽  
Jean-Pierre Claverys
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Competence Development ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Transcription Terminator ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Cognate Response Regulator ◽  
Basal Level Expression

Natural competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae is controlled by the ComCDE signal-transduction pathway. Together, ComD, a membrane histidine kinase, and ComE, its cognate response regulator, constitute a typical two-component regulatory system involved in sensing the comC-encoded competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). The comCDE operon is strongly upregulated when CSP reaches a critical threshold, probably to coordinate competence induction throughout the population. During a study of the early regulation of the comCDE operon, a mutation which resulted in increased β-galactosidase production from a comC : : lacZ fusion was isolated. This mutation, which was characterized as a G→T change in the transcription terminator of the tRNAArg located immediately upstream of comCDE, is suggested to destabilize the terminator and to allow transcriptional readthrough of comCDE. Here, it is shown that, quite unexpectedly, the mutation confers reduced transformability. A series of experiments undertaken with the aim of understanding this surprising phenotype is described. Evidence is presented that increased basal-level expression of comDE impedes both spontaneous and CSP-induced competence in S. pneumoniae. There is a discussion of how an increased concentration of ComD and/or ComE could affect competence development.

scholarly journals Mutations Affecting HVO_1357 or HVO_2248 Cause Hypermotility in Haloferax volcanii, Suggesting Roles in Motility Regulation

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Michiyah Collins ◽  
Simisola Afolayan ◽  
Aime B. Igiraneza ◽  
Heather Schiller ◽  
Elise Krespan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Haloferax Volcanii ◽  
Adjacent Gene ◽  
Transposon Insertion ◽  
Regulatory Systems ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Motility Regulation ◽  
Transposon Insertions

Motility regulation plays a key role in prokaryotic responses to environmental stimuli. Here, we used a motility screen and selection to isolate hypermotile Haloferax volcanii mutants from a transposon insertion library. Whole genome sequencing revealed that hypermotile mutants were predominantly affected in two genes that encode HVO_1357 and HVO_2248. Alterations of these genes comprised not only transposon insertions but also secondary genome alterations. HVO_1357 contains a domain that was previously identified in the regulation of bacteriorhodopsin transcription, as well as other domains frequently found in two-component regulatory systems. The genes adjacent to hvo_1357 encode a sensor box histidine kinase and a response regulator, key players of a two-component regulatory system. None of the homologues of HVO_2248 have been characterized, nor does it contain any of the assigned InterPro domains. However, in a significant number of Haloferax species, the adjacent gene codes for a chemotaxis receptor/transducer. Our results provide a foundation for characterizing the root causes underlying Hfx. volcanii hypermotility.

scholarly journals Effect of new alleles of the histidine kinase gene ciaH on the activity of the response regulator CiaR in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (11) ◽  
pp. 3104-3112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Müller ◽  
Patrick Marx ◽  
Regine Hakenbeck ◽  
Reinhold Brückner
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Competence Development ◽  
Kinase Gene ◽  
Lactam Antibiotic ◽  
Spontaneous Mutants ◽  
New Alleles

The two-component regulatory system CiaRH of Streptococcus pneumoniae affects β-lactam susceptibility, autolysis, bacteriocin production, competence development, host colonization and virulence. The system was discovered in a screen for S. pneumoniae R6 mutants resistant to the β-lactam antibiotic cefotaxime. A mutation in the histidine kinase gene ciaH led to this phenotype by enhancing CiaR-mediated gene expression. Additional mutations in ciaH have been described in other spontaneous β-lactam-resistant mutants of S. pneumoniae R6, but their influence on CiaR-mediated gene regulation has not been determined. Likewise, altered ciaH alleles are present in clinical S. pneumoniae isolates, none of which had been characterized. These novel ciaH variants were introduced into S. pneumoniae R6 to measure their ability to activate CiaR-dependent regulation. The ciaH alleles from spontaneous mutants obtained in the laboratory increased the activity of CiaR-dependent promoters between four- and 26-fold, while variants from clinical strains were less effective, with a threefold activation at most. Accordingly, phenotypes associated with a hyperactive CiaRH system, β-lactam resistance, and prevention of competence development, were far more pronounced in the laboratory mutants. Amino acid changes affecting CiaH function were positioned throughout the protein. Five of the most activating changes are located close to the conserved histidine and one in the extracytoplasmic sensor domain. The characterization of new alleles of ciaH expands the spectrum of CiaH variants, which may help to elucidate signal transduction of this important regulatory system. Our study also demonstrates that ciaH alleles overstimulating CiaR regulon expression are present in clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Diversity of Bacteriocins and Activity Spectrum in Streptococcus pneumoniae

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (21) ◽  
pp. 7741-7751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lux ◽  
Michael Nuhn ◽  
Regine Hakenbeck ◽  
Peter Reichmann
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Bacteriocin Activity ◽  
Two Component System ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Activity Spectrum

ABSTRACT The production of bacteriocins can be favorable for colonization of the host by eliminating other bacterial species that share the same environment. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, the pnc (blp) locus encoding putative bacteriocins, immunity, and export proteins is controlled by a two-component system similar to the comCDE system required for the induction of genetic competence. A detailed comparison of the pnc clusters of four genetically distinct isolates confirmed the great plasticity of this locus and documented several repeat sequences. Members of the multiple-antibiotic-resistant Spain23F-1 clone, one member of the Spain9V-3 clone, sensitive 23F strain 2306, and the TIGR4 strain produced bactericidal substances active against other gram-positive bacteria and in some cases against S. pneumoniae as well. However, other strains did not show activity against the indicator strains despite the presence of a bacteriocin cluster, indicating that other factors are required for bacteriocin activity. Analysis of strain 2306 and mutant derivatives of this strain confirmed that bacteriocin production was dependent on the two-component regulatory system and genes involved in bacteriocin transport and processing. At least one other bacteriocin gene, pncE, is located elsewhere on the chromosome and might contribute to the bacteriocin activity of this strain.

Bacteriocin production in Streptococcus gallolyticus is controlled by a complex 4-component regulatory system with activator and anti-activator activities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Proutière ◽  
Bruno Périchon ◽  
Laurence du Merle ◽  
Hugo Varet ◽  
Patrick Trieu-Cuot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Bacteriocin Production ◽  
Two Component System ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Component System ◽  
Streptococcus Gallolyticus ◽  
Two Component

AbstractBacteriocins are natural antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to kill closely related competitors. The opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus gallolyticus (Sgg) was recently shown to outcompete commensal enterococci of the murine microbiota in tumoral conditions thanks to the production of a two-peptide bacteriocin named gallocin. We here identified 4 genes involved in the regulatory control of gallocin in Sgg UCN34, respectively encoding a histidine kinase/response regulator two-component system (BlpH/BlpR), a secreted peptide (GSP), and a putative regulator of unknown function (BlpS). While BlpR is a typical 243-aa response regulator possessing a phospho-receiver domain and a LytTR DNA-binding domain, BlpS is a 108-aa protein containing only a LytTR domain. Our results showed that the secreted peptide GSP activates the dedicated two-component system BlpH/BlpR to induce gallocin transcription. A genome-wide transcriptome analysis indicates that this regulatory system (GSP-BlpH/BlpR) is highly specific for bacteriocin production. Importantly, as opposed to BlpR, BlpS was shown to repress gallocin gene transcription. A conserved operator DNA sequence of 30-bp was found in all promoter regions regulated by BlpR and BlpS. EMSA assays showed direct and specific binding of the two gallocin regulators to various regulated promoter regions in a dose dependent manner. Gallocin expression appears tightly controlled in Sgg by quorum sensing and antagonistic activity of 2 LytTR-containing proteins.SignificanceStreptococcus gallolyticus (Sgg), formely known as S. bovis biotype I, is an opportunistic pathogen causing septicemia and endocarditis in the elderly often associated with asymptomatic colonic neoplasia. We previously showed that Sgg produces a bacteriocin, termed gallocin, enabling colonization of the colon in tumoral conditions by outcompeting commensal members of the gut. Here we characterized a 4-component regulatory system that regulates gallocin transcription, which is activated by the response regulator BlpR. BlpR itself is activated by a quorum sensing peptide GSP and a dedicated histidine kinase BlpH. Interestingly, BlpS, a small DNA-binding protein co-transcribed with BlpR was found to repress gallocin genes transcription, likely by antagonizing BlpR. Understanding gallocin regulation is crucial to prevent Sgg colon colonization in tumoral conditions.

scholarly journals Regulation of Sporangium Formation, Spore Dormancy, and Sporangium Dehiscence by a Hybrid Sensor Histidine Kinase in Actinoplanes missouriensis: Relationship with the Global Transcriptional Regulator TcrA

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichiro Hashiguchi ◽  
Takeaki Tezuka ◽  
Yoshihiro Mouri ◽  
Kenji Konishi ◽  
Azusa Fujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rare Actinomycetes ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Hybrid Histidine Kinase

ABSTRACT The rare actinomycete Actinoplanes missouriensis forms terminal sporangia containing a few hundred flagellated spores. In response to water, the sporangia open and release the spores into external environments. The orphan response regulator TcrA functions as a global transcriptional activator during sporangium formation and dehiscence. Here, we report the characterization of an orphan hybrid histidine kinase, HhkA. Sporangia of an hhkA deletion mutant contained many distorted or ectopically germinated spores and scarcely opened to release the spores under sporangium dehiscence-inducing conditions. These phenotypic changes are quite similar to those observed in a tcrA deletion mutant. Comparative RNA sequencing analysis showed that genes controlled by HhkA mostly overlap TcrA-regulated genes. The direct interaction between HhkA and TcrA was suggested by a bacterial two-hybrid assay, but this was not conclusive. The phosphorylation of TcrA using acetyl phosphate as a phosphate donor markedly enhanced its affinity for the TcrA box sequences in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Taking these observations together with other results, we proposed that HhkA and TcrA compose a cognate two-component regulatory system, which controls the transcription of the genes involved in many aspects of morphological development, including sporangium formation, spore dormancy, and sporangium dehiscence in A. missouriensis. IMPORTANCE Actinoplanes missouriensis goes through complex morphological differentiation, including formation of flagellated spore-containing sporangia, sporangium dehiscence, swimming of zoospores, and germination of zoospores to filamentous growth. Although the orphan response regulator TcrA globally activates many genes required for sporangium formation, spore dormancy, and sporangium dehiscence, its partner histidine kinase remained unknown. Here, we analyzed the function of an orphan hybrid histidine kinase, HhkA, and proposed that HhkA constitutes a cognate two-component regulatory system with TcrA. That HhkA and TcrA homologues are highly conserved among the genus Actinoplanes and several closely related rare actinomycetes indicates that this possible two-component regulatory system is employed for complex morphological development in sporangium- and/or zoospore-forming rare actinomycetes.

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