scholarly journals A Novel Redox-Sensing Histidine Kinase That Controls Carbon Catabolite Repression inAzoarcussp. CIB

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Andrés Valderrama ◽  
Helena Gómez-Álvarez ◽  
Zaira Martín-Moldes ◽  
M. Álvaro Berbís ◽  
F. Javier Cañada ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe have identified and characterized the AccS multidomain sensor kinase that mediates the activation of the AccR master regulator involved in carbon catabolite repression (CCR) of the anaerobic catabolism of aromatic compounds inAzoarcussp. CIB. A truncated AccS protein that contains only the soluble C-terminal autokinase module (AccS′) accounts for the succinate-dependent CCR control. In vitroassays with purified AccS′ revealed its autophosphorylation, phosphotransfer from AccS′∼P to the Asp60 residue of AccR, and the phosphatase activity toward its phosphorylated response regulator, indicating that the equilibrium between the kinase and phosphatase activities of AccS′ may control the phosphorylation state of the AccR transcriptional regulator. Oxidized quinones, e.g., ubiquinone 0 and menadione, switched the AccS′ autokinase activity off, and three conserved Cys residues, which are not essential for catalysis, are involved in such inhibition. Thiol oxidation by quinones caused a change in the oligomeric state of the AccS′ dimer resulting in the formation of an inactive monomer. This thiol-based redox switch is tuned by the cellular energy state, which can change depending on the carbon source that the cells are using. This work expands the functional diversity of redox-sensitive sensor kinases, showing that they can control new bacterial processes such as CCR of the anaerobic catabolism of aromatic compounds. The AccSR two-component system is conserved in the genomes of some betaproteobacteria, where it might play a more general role in controlling the global metabolic state according to carbon availability.IMPORTANCETwo-component signal transduction systems comprise a sensor histidine kinase and its cognate response regulator, and some have evolved to sense and convert redox signals into regulatory outputs that allow bacteria to adapt to the altered redox environment. The work presented here expands knowledge of the functional diversity of redox-sensing kinases to control carbon catabolite repression (CCR), a phenomenon that allows the selective assimilation of a preferred compound among a mixture of several carbon sources. The newly characterized AccS sensor kinase is responsible for the phosphorylation and activation of the AccR master regulator involved in CCR of the anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds in the betaproteobacteriumAzoarcussp. CIB. AccS seems to have a thiol-based redox switch that is modulated by the redox state of the quinone pool. The AccSR system is conserved in several betaproteobacteria, where it might play a more general role controlling their global metabolic state.

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (6) ◽  
pp. 1735-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela R. Peña-Sandoval ◽  
Dimitris Georgellis

ABSTRACT The Arc two-component system, comprising the ArcB sensor kinase and the ArcA response regulator, modulates the expression of numerous genes in response to the respiratory conditions of growth. ArcB is a tripartite histidine kinase whose activity is regulated by the oxidation of two cytosol-located redox-active cysteine residues that participate in intermolecular disulfide bond formation. Here we show that ArcB autophosphorylates through an intramolecular reaction which diverges from the usually envisaged intermolecular autophosphorylation of homodimeric histidine kinases.


Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kassem Hamze ◽  
Daria Julkowska ◽  
Sabine Autret ◽  
Krzysztof Hinc ◽  
Krzysztofa Nagorska ◽  
...  

Highly branched dendritic swarming of B. subtilis on synthetic B-medium involves a developmental-like process that is absolutely dependent on flagella and surfactin secretion. In order to identify new swarming genes, we targeted the two-component ComPA signalling pathway and associated global regulators. In liquid cultures, the histidine kinase ComP, and the response regulator ComA, respond to secreted pheromones ComX and CSF (encoded by phrC) in order to control production of surfactin synthases and ComS (competence regulator). In this study, for what is believed to be the first time, we established that distinct early stages of dendritic swarming can be clearly defined, and that they are amenable to genetic analysis. In a mutational analysis producing several mutants with distinctive phenotypes, we were able to assign the genes sfp (activation of surfactin synthases), comA, abrB and codY (global regulators), hag (flagellin), mecA and yvzB (hag-like), and swrB (motility), to the different swarming stages. Surprisingly, mutations in genes comPX, comQ, comS, rapC and oppD, which are normally indispensable for import of CSF, had only modest effects, if any, on swarming and surfactin production. Therefore, during dendritic swarming, surfactin synthesis is apparently subject to novel regulation that is largely independent of the ComXP pathway; we discuss possible alternative mechanisms for driving srfABCD transcription. We showed that the phrC mutant, largely independent of any effect on surfactin production, was also, nevertheless, blocked early in swarming, forming stunted dendrites, with abnormal dendrite initiation morphology. In a mixed swarm co-inoculated with phrC sfp+ and phrC+ sfp (GFP), an apparently normal swarm was produced. In fact, while initiation of all dendrites was of the abnormal phrC type, these were predominantly populated by sfp cells, which migrated faster than the phrC cells. This and other results indicated a specific migration defect in the phrC mutant that could not be trans-complemented by CSF in a mixed swarm. CSF is the C-terminal pentapeptide of the surface-exposed PhrC pre-peptide and we propose that the residual PhrC 35 aa residue peptide anchored in the exterior of the cytoplasmic membrane has an apparently novel extracellular role in swarming.


2005 ◽  
Vol 390 (3) ◽  
pp. 769-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Sanowar ◽  
Hervé Le Moual

Two-component signal-transduction systems are widespread in bacteria. They are usually composed of a transmembrane histidine kinase sensor and a cytoplasmic response regulator. The PhoP/PhoQ two-component system of Salmonella typhimurium contributes to virulence by co-ordinating the adaptation to low concentrations of environmental Mg2+. Limiting concentrations of extracellular Mg2+ activate the PhoP/PhoQ phosphorylation cascade modulating the transcription of PhoP-regulated genes. In contrast, high concentrations of extracellular Mg2+ stimulate the dephosphorylation of the response regulator PhoP by the PhoQ kinase sensor. In the present study, we report the purification and functional reconstitution of PhoQHis, a PhoQ variant with a C-terminal His tag, into Escherichia coli liposomes. The functionality of PhoQHis was essentially similar to that of PhoQ as shown in vivo and in vitro. Purified PhoQHis was inserted into liposomes in a unidirectional orientation, with the sensory domain facing the lumen and the catalytic domain facing the extraluminal environment. Reconstituted PhoQHis exhibited all the catalytic activities that have been described for histidine kinase sensors. Reconstituted PhoQHis was capable of autokinase activity when incubated in the presence of Mg2+-ATP. The phosphoryl group could be transferred from reconstituted PhoQHis to PhoP. Reconstituted PhoQHis catalysed the dephosphorylation of phospho-PhoP and this activity was stimulated by the addition of extraluminal ADP.


2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 3117-3130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Caimano ◽  
Melisha R. Kenedy ◽  
Toru Kairu ◽  
Daniel C. Desrosiers ◽  
Michael Harman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTTwo-component systems (TCS) are principal mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to their surroundings.Borrelia burgdorferiencodes only two TCS. One is comprised of a histidine kinase, Hk2, and the response regulator Rrp2. While the contribution of Hk2 remains unclear, Rrp2 is part of a regulatory pathway involving the spirochete's alternate sigma factors, RpoN and RpoS. Genes within the Rrp2/RpoN/RpoS regulon function to promote tick transmission and early infection. The other TCS consists of a hybrid histidine kinase, Hk1, and the response regulator Rrp1. Hk1 is composed of two periplasmic sensor domains (D1 and D2), followed by conserved cytoplasmic histidine kinase core, REC, and Hpt domains. In addition to its REC domain, Rrp1 contains a GGDEF motif characteristic of diguanylate cyclases. To investigate the role of Hk1 during the enzootic cycle, we inactivated this gene in two virulent backgrounds. Extensive characterization of the resulting mutants revealed a dramatic phenotype whereby Hk1-deficient spirochetes are virulent in mice and able to migrate out of the bite site during feeding but are killed within the midgut following acquisition. We hypothesize that the phosphorelay between Hk1 and Rrp1 is initiated by the binding of feeding-specific ligand(s) to Hk1 sensor domain D1 and/or D2. Once activated, Rrp1 directs the synthesis of cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP), which, in turn, modulates the expression and/or activity of gene products required for survival within feeding ticks. In contrast to the Rrp2/RpoN/RpoS pathway, which is active only within feeding nymphs, the Hk1/Rrp1 TCS is essential for survival during both larval and nymphal blood meals.


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 ◽  
...  

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 .


2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Teschler ◽  
Andrew T. Cheng ◽  
Fitnat H. Yildiz

ABSTRACT Two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs), typically composed of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR), are the primary mechanism by which pathogenic bacteria sense and respond to extracellular signals. The pathogenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae is no exception and harbors 52 RR genes. Using in-frame deletion mutants of each RR gene, we performed a systematic analysis of their role in V. cholerae biofilm formation. We determined that 7 RRs impacted the expression of an essential biofilm gene and found that the recently characterized RR, VxrB, regulates the expression of key structural and regulatory biofilm genes in V. cholerae. vxrB is part of a 5-gene operon, which contains the cognate HK vxrA and three genes of unknown function. Strains carrying ΔvxrA and ΔvxrB mutations are deficient in biofilm formation, while the ΔvxrC mutation enhances biofilm formation. The overexpression of VxrB led to a decrease in motility. We also observed a small but reproducible effect of the absence of VxrB on the levels of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Our work reveals a new function for the Vxr TCS as a regulator of biofilm formation and suggests that this regulation may act through key biofilm regulators and the modulation of cellular c-di-GMP levels. IMPORTANCE Biofilms play an important role in the Vibrio cholerae life cycle, providing protection from environmental stresses and contributing to the transmission of V. cholerae to the human host. V. cholerae can utilize two-component systems (TCS), composed of a histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR), to regulate biofilm formation in response to external cues. We performed a systematic analysis of V. cholerae RRs and identified a new regulator of biofilm formation, VxrB. We demonstrated that the VxrAB TCS is essential for robust biofilm formation and that this system may regulate biofilm formation via its regulation of key biofilm regulators and cyclic di-GMP levels. This research furthers our understanding of the role that TCSs play in the regulation of V. cholerae biofilm formation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (8) ◽  
pp. 2068-2076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmar Beier ◽  
Rainer Frank

ABSTRACT Two-component systems are frequently involved in the adaptation of bacteria to changing environmental conditions at the level of transcriptional regulation. Here we report the characterization of members of the two-component systems of the gastric pathogenHelicobacter pylori deduced from the genome sequence of strain 26695. We demonstrate that the response regulators HP166, HP1043, and HP1021 have essential functions, as disruption of the corresponding genes is lethal for the bacteria, irrespective of the fact that HP1043 and HP1021 have nonconserved substitutions in crucial amino acids of their receiver domains. An analysis of the in vitro phosphorylation properties of the two-component proteins demonstrates that HP244-HP703 and HP165-HP166 are cognate histidine kinase-response regulator pairs. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the variability of the histidine kinase HP165 caused by a poly(C) tract of variable length close to the 3′ end of open reading frame 165/164 does not interfere with the kinase activity of the transmitter domain of HP165.


2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (23) ◽  
pp. 6673-6678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiola Janiak-Spens ◽  
David P. Sparling ◽  
Ann H. West

ABSTRACT Two-component regulatory systems that utilize a multistep phosphorelay mechanism often involve a histidine-containing phosphotransfer (HPt) domain. These HPt domains serve an essential role as histidine-phosphorylated protein intermediates during phosphoryl transfer from one response regulator domain to another. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the YPD1 protein facilitates phosphoryl transfer from a hybrid sensor kinase, SLN1, to two distinct response regulator proteins, SSK1 and SKN7. Because the phosphorylation state largely determines the functional state of response regulator proteins, we have carried out a comparative study of the phosphorylated lifetimes of the three response regulator domains associated with SLN1, SSK1, and SKN7 (R1, R2, and R3, respectively). The isolated regulatory domains exhibited phosphorylated lifetimes within the range previously observed for other response regulator domains (i.e., several minutes to several hours). However, in the presence of YPD1, we found that the half-life of phosphorylated SSK1-R2 was dramatically extended (almost 200-fold longer than in the absence of YPD1). This stabilization effect was specific for SSK1-R2 and was not observed for SLN1-R1 or SKN7-R3. Our findings suggest a mechanism by which SSK1 is maintained in its phosphorylated state under normal physiological conditions and demonstrate an unprecedented regulatory role for an HPt domain in a phosphorelay signaling system.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 2780-2791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Romagnoli ◽  
F. Robert Tabita

ABSTRACT A novel two-component system has been identified in the cbbI region of the nonsulfur purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Genes encoding this system, here designated cbbRRS, are juxtaposed between the divergently transcribed transcription activator gene, cbbR, and the form I ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) genes, cbbLS. The three genes of the cbbRRS system represent a variation of the well-known two-component signal transduction systems, as there are a transmembrane hybrid sensor kinase and two response regulators, with no apparent DNA binding domain associated with any of the three proteins encoded by these genes. In this study, we showed that the membrane-bound full-length kinase undergoes autophosphorylation and transfers phosphate to both response regulators. A soluble, truncated version of the kinase was subsequently prepared and found to catalyze phosphorylation of response regulator 1 but not response regulator 2, implying that conformational changes and/or sequence-specific regions of the kinase are important for discriminating between the two response regulators. Analyses indicated that a complex network of control of gene expression must occur, with CbbR required for the expression of the cbbLS genes but dispensable for the synthesis of form II RubisCO (encoded by cbbM). The CbbRRS proteins specifically affected the activity and accumulation of form I RubisCO (CbbLS), as revealed by analyses of nonpolar, unmarked gene deletions. A tentative model of regulation suggested that changes in the phosphotransfer activity of the sensor kinase, possibly in response to a redox metabolic signal, cause modulation of the activity and synthesis of form I RubisCO.


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