scholarly journals The Leader Peptide peTrpL Forms Antibiotic-Containing Ribonucleoprotein Complexes for Posttranscriptional Regulation of Multiresistance Genes

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Melior ◽  
Sandra Maaß ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Konrad U. Förstner ◽  
Saina Azarderakhsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antisense Rna ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Leader Peptide ◽  
Seed Region ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plant Symbiont ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

ABSTRACT Bacterial ribosome-dependent attenuators are widespread posttranscriptional regulators. They harbor small upstream open reading frames (uORFs) encoding leader peptides, for which no functions in trans are known yet. In the plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, the tryptophan biosynthesis gene trpE(G) is preceded by the uORF trpL and is regulated by transcription attenuation according to tryptophan availability. However, trpLE(G) transcription is initiated independently of the tryptophan level in S. meliloti, thereby ensuring a largely tryptophan-independent production of the leader peptide peTrpL. Here, we provide evidence for a tryptophan-independent role of peTrpL in trans. We found that peTrpL increases the resistance toward tetracycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and the flavonoid genistein, which are substrates of the major multidrug efflux pump SmeAB. Coimmunoprecipitation with a FLAG-peTrpL suggested smeR mRNA, which encodes the transcription repressor of smeABR, as a peptide target. Indeed, upon antibiotic exposure, smeR mRNA was destabilized and smeA stabilized in a peTrpL-dependent manner, showing that peTrpL acts in the differential regulation of smeABR. Furthermore, smeR mRNA was coimmunoprecipitated with peTrpL in antibiotic-dependent ribonucleoprotein (ARNP) complexes, which, in addition, contained an antibiotic-induced antisense RNA complementary to smeR. In vitro ARNP reconstitution revealed that the above-mentioned antibiotics and genistein directly support complex formation. A specific region of the antisense RNA was identified as a seed region for ARNP assembly in vitro. Altogether, our data show that peTrpL is involved in a mechanism for direct utilization of antimicrobial compounds in posttranscriptional regulation of multiresistance genes. Importantly, this role of peTrpL in resistance is conserved in other Alphaproteobacteria. IMPORTANCE Leader peptides encoded by transcription attenuators are widespread small proteins that are considered nonfunctional in trans. We found that the leader peptide peTrpL of the soil-dwelling plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti is required for differential, posttranscriptional regulation of a multidrug resistance operon upon antibiotic exposure. Multiresistance achieved by efflux of different antimicrobial compounds ensures survival and competitiveness in nature and is important from both evolutionary and medical points of view. We show that the leader peptide forms antibiotic- and flavonoid-dependent ribonucleoprotein complexes (ARNPs) for destabilization of smeR mRNA encoding the transcription repressor of the major multidrug resistance operon. The seed region for ARNP assembly was localized in an antisense RNA, whose transcription is induced by antimicrobial compounds. The discovery of ARNP complexes as new players in multiresistance regulation opens new perspectives in understanding bacterial physiology and evolution and potentially provides new targets for antibacterial control.

scholarly journals Reprograming of sRNA target specificity by the leader peptide peTrpL in response to antibiotic exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 2894-2915
Author(s):  
Hendrik Melior ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Maximilian Stötzel ◽  
Sandra Maaß ◽  
Rubina Schütz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Leader Peptide ◽  
In Vitro Reconstitution ◽  
Biosynthesis Gene ◽  
Regulatory Rnas

Abstract Trans-acting regulatory RNAs have the capacity to base pair with more mRNAs than generally detected under defined conditions, raising the possibility that sRNA target specificities vary depending on the specific metabolic or environmental conditions. In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the sRNA rnTrpL is derived from a tryptophan (Trp) transcription attenuator located upstream of the Trp biosynthesis gene trpE(G). The sRNA rnTrpL contains a small ORF, trpL, encoding the 14-aa leader peptide peTrpL. If Trp is available, efficient trpL translation causes transcription termination and liberation of rnTrpL, which subsequently acts to downregulate the trpDC operon, while peTrpL is known to have a Trp-independent role in posttranscriptional regulation of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Here, we show that tetracycline (Tc) causes rnTrpL accumulation independently of Trp availability. In the presence of Tc, rnTrpL and peTrpL act collectively to destabilize rplUrpmA mRNA encoding ribosomal proteins L21 and L27. The three molecules, rnTrpL, peTrpL, and rplUrpmA mRNA, form an antibiotic-dependent ribonucleoprotein complex (ARNP). In vitro reconstitution of this ARNP in the presence of competing trpD and rplU transcripts revealed that peTrpL and Tc cause a shift of rnTrpL specificity towards rplU, suggesting that sRNA target prioritization may be readjusted in response to changing environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Trans-acting role of the leader peptide peTrpL in posttranscriptional regulation of multiresistance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Melior ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Konrad U. Förstner ◽  
Saina Azarderakhsh ◽  
Susanne Barth-Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Leader Peptide ◽  
Multidrug Efflux ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pump ◽  
Plant Symbiont ◽  
Bacterial Ribosome ◽  
Tryptophan Level

AbstractBacterial ribosome-dependent attenuators are widespread posttranscriptional regulators. They harbour small upstream ORFs (uORFs) encoding leader peptides, for which no functions in trans are known yet. In the soil-dwelling plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, the tryptophan biosynthesis gene trpE(G) is preceded by the uORF trpL and is regulated by transcription attenuation according to tryptophan availability. However, trpLE(G) transcription is initiated independently of the tryptophan level in the cell, thereby ensuring a largely tryptophan-independent production of the leader peptide peTrpL. We provide evidence that peTrpL plays a role in the differential posttranscriptional regulation of the smeABR operon encoding the major multidrug efflux pump SmeAB and the TtgR-type transcription repressor SmeR. We show that peTrpL is involved in a tetracycline-dependent smeR mRNA destabilization and forms an antibiotic-dependent ribonucleoprotein (ARNP) complex with smeR and its antisense RNA (asRNA). Induction of asRNA transcription, ARNP formation and smeR downregulation were promoted by several antibiotics and the flavonoid genistein, and the resistance to these antimicrobial compounds was increased by peTrpL. The role of peTrpL in resistance is conserved in other soil Alphaproteobacteria.

scholarly journals The bacterial leader peptide peTrpL has a conserved function in antibiotic-dependent posttranscriptional regulation of ribosomal genes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Melior ◽  
Sandra Maaß ◽  
Maximilian Stötzel ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Konrad U. Förstner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antisense Rna ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Transcription Termination ◽  
Ribosomal Genes ◽  
Leader Peptide ◽  
Tryptophan Biosynthesis ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Complex ◽  
Mrna Destabilization

SummaryThe ribosome-dependent attenuator located upstream of bacterial tryptophan biosynthesis genes harbors a small ORF trpL containing tryptophan codons. When tryptophan is available, efficient trpL translation causes transcription termination and release of the attenuator RNA rnTrpL. In Sinorhizobium meliloti, rnTrpL is a trans-acting sRNA. Here, we identified an evolutionary conserved function for the trpL-encoded 14-aa leader peptide peTrpL. Upon exposure to tetracycline, the cellular peTrpL levels were increased and rnTrpL was generated independently of tryptophan availability. Both peTrpL and rnTrpL were found to be involved in tetracycline-dependent destabilization of rplUrpmA mRNA encoding ribosomal proteins L21 and L27. We provide evidence for redirection of the sRNA rnTrpL from its antibiotic-independent target trpDC to rplUrpmA by formation of an antibiotic-dependent ribonucleoprotein complex (ARNP). ARNPs comprising peTrpL, rnTrpL, rplUrpmA and antisense RNA were also observed for other translation-inhibiting antibiotics, suggesting that bacteria evolved mechanisms to utilize antibiotics for mRNA destabilization.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Biocides Used in the Modern Food Industry To Control Salmonella enterica, and Links between Biocide Tolerance and Resistance to Clinically Relevant Antimicrobial Compounds

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 3087-3097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla Condell ◽  
Carol Iversen ◽  
Shane Cooney ◽  
Karen A. Power ◽  
Ciara Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Cross Tolerance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Grade ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTBiocides play an essential role in limiting the spread of infectious disease. The food industry is dependent on these agents, and their increasing use is a matter for concern. Specifically, the emergence of bacteria demonstrating increased tolerance to biocides, coupled with the potential for the development of a phenotype of cross-resistance to clinically important antimicrobial compounds, needs to be assessed. In this study, we investigated the tolerance of a collection of susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR)Salmonella entericastrains to a panel of seven commercially available food-grade biocide formulations. We explored their abilities to adapt to these formulations and their active biocidal agents, i.e., triclosan, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, and benzalkonium chloride, after sequential rounds ofin vitroselection. Finally, cross-tolerance of different categories of biocidal formulations, their active agents, and the potential for coselection of resistance to clinically important antibiotics were investigated. Six of seven food-grade biocide formulations were bactericidal at their recommended working concentrations. All showed a reduced activity against both surface-dried and biofilm cultures. A stable phenotype of tolerance to biocide formulations could not be selected. Upon exposure ofSalmonellastrains to an active biocidal compound, a high-level of tolerance was selected for a number ofSalmonellaserotypes. No cross-tolerance to the different biocidal agents or food-grade biocide formulations was observed. Most tolerant isolates displayed changes in their patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds. Food industry biocides are effective against planktonicSalmonella. When exposed to sublethal concentrations of individual active biocidal agents, tolerant isolates may emerge. This emergence was associated with changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities.

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 The Redox Cofactor F420Protects Mycobacteria from Diverse Antimicrobial Compounds and Mediates a Reductive Detoxification System

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (23) ◽  
pp. 6810-6818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanavit Jirapanjawat ◽  
Blair Ney ◽  
Matthew C. Taylor ◽  
Andrew C. Warden ◽  
Shahana Afroze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Mycobacterium Smegmatis ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Detoxifying Enzymes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Detoxification System ◽  
Mutant Strains

ABSTRACTA defining feature of mycobacterial redox metabolism is the use of an unusual deazaflavin cofactor, F420. This cofactor enhances the persistence of environmental and pathogenic mycobacteria, including after antimicrobial treatment, although the molecular basis for this remains to be understood. In this work, we explored our hypothesis that F420enhances persistence by serving as a cofactor in antimicrobial-detoxifying enzymes. To test this, we performed a series of phenotypic, biochemical, and analytical chemistry studies in relation to the model soil bacteriumMycobacterium smegmatis. Mutant strains unable to synthesize or reduce F420were found to be more susceptible to a wide range of antibiotic and xenobiotic compounds. Compounds from three classes of antimicrobial compounds traditionally resisted by mycobacteria inhibited the growth of F420mutant strains at subnanomolar concentrations, namely, furanocoumarins (e.g., methoxsalen), arylmethanes (e.g., malachite green), and quinone analogues (e.g., menadione). We demonstrated that promiscuous F420H2-dependent reductases directly reduce these compounds by a mechanism consistent with hydride transfer. Moreover,M. smegmatisstrains unable to make F420H2lost the capacity to reduce and detoxify representatives of the furanocoumarin and arylmethane compound classes in whole-cell assays. In contrast, mutant strains were only slightly more susceptible to clinical antimycobacterials, and this appeared to be due to indirect effects of F420loss of function (e.g., redox imbalance) rather than loss of a detoxification system. Together, these data show that F420enhances antimicrobial resistance in mycobacteria and suggest that one function of the F420H2-dependent reductases is to broaden the range of natural products that mycobacteria and possibly other environmental actinobacteria can reductively detoxify.IMPORTANCEThis study reveals that a unique microbial cofactor, F420, is critical for antimicrobial resistance in the environmental actinobacteriumMycobacterium smegmatis. We show that a superfamily of redox enzymes, the F420H2-dependent reductases, can reduce diverse antimicrobialsin vitroandin vivo.M. smegmatisstrains unable to make or reduce F420become sensitive to inhibition by these antimicrobial compounds. This suggests that mycobacteria have harnessed the unique properties of F420to reduce structurally diverse antimicrobials as part of the antibiotic arms race. The F420H2-dependent reductases that facilitate this process represent a new class of antimicrobial-detoxifying enzymes with potential applications in bioremediation and biocatalysis.

scholarly journals Small-Molecule Inhibition of Choline Catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Other Aerobic Choline-Catabolizing Bacteria

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (13) ◽  
pp. 4383-4389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam F. Fitzsimmons ◽  
Stevenson Flemer ◽  
A. Sandy Wurthmann ◽  
P. Bruce Deker ◽  
Indra Neil Sarkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Growth Inhibitor ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Dependent Growth

ABSTRACTCholine is abundant in association with eukaryotes and plays roles in osmoprotection, thermoprotection, and membrane biosynthesis in many bacteria. Aerobic catabolism of choline is widespread among soil proteobacteria, particularly those associated with eukaryotes. Catabolism of choline as a carbon, nitrogen, and/or energy source may play important roles in association with eukaryotes, including pathogenesis, symbioses, and nutrient cycling. We sought to generate choline analogues to study bacterial choline catabolismin vitroandin situ. Here we report the characterization of a choline analogue, propargylcholine, which inhibits choline catabolism at the level of Dgc enzyme-catalyzed dimethylglycine demethylation inPseudomonas aeruginosa. We used genetic analyses and13C nuclear magnetic resonance to demonstrate that propargylcholine is catabolized to its inhibitory form, propargylmethylglycine. Chemically synthesized propargylmethylglycine was also an inhibitor of growth on choline. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that there are genes encoding DgcA homologues in a variety of proteobacteria. We examined the broader utility of propargylcholine and propargylmethylglycine by assessing growth of other members of the proteobacteria that are known to grow on choline and possess putative DgcA homologues. Propargylcholine showed utility as a growth inhibitor inP. aeruginosabut did not inhibit growth in other proteobacteria tested. In contrast, propargylmethylglycine was able to inhibit choline-dependent growth in all tested proteobacteria, includingPseudomonas mendocina,Pseudomonas fluorescens,Pseudomonas putida,Burkholderia cepacia,Burkholderia ambifaria, andSinorhizobium meliloti. We predict that chemical inhibitors of choline catabolism will be useful for studying this pathway in clinical and environmental isolates and could be a useful tool to study proteobacterial choline catabolismin situ.

scholarly journals Partial Complementation of Sinorhizobium meliloti bacA Mutant Phenotypes by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis BacA Protein

2012 ◽  
Vol 195 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. F. Arnold ◽  
A. F. Haag ◽  
S. Capewell ◽  
H. I. Boshoff ◽  
E. K. James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Abc Transporter ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Insertion Mutant ◽  
Atpase Domain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transporter Protein

ABSTRACTTheSinorhizobium melilotiBacA ABC transporter protein plays an important role in its nodulating symbiosis with the legume alfalfa (Medicago sativa). TheMycobacterium tuberculosisBacA homolog was found to be important for the maintenance of chronic murine infections, yet itsin vivofunction is unknown. In the legume plant as well as in the mammalian host, bacteria encounter host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We found that theM. tuberculosisBacA protein was able to partially complement the symbiotic defect of anS. melilotiBacA-deficient mutant on alfalfa plants and to protect this mutantin vitrofrom the antimicrobial activity of a synthetic legume peptide, NCR247, and a recombinant human β-defensin 2 (HBD2). This finding was also confirmed using anM. tuberculosisinsertion mutant. Furthermore,M. tuberculosisBacA-mediated protection of the legume symbiontS. melilotiagainst legume defensins as well as HBD2 is dependent on its attached ATPase domain. In addition, we show thatM. tuberculosisBacA mediates peptide uptake of the truncated bovine AMP, Bac71-16. This process required a functional ATPase domain. We therefore suggest thatM. tuberculosisBacA is important for the transport of peptides across the cytoplasmic membrane and is part of a complete ABC transporter. Hence, BacA-mediated protection against host AMPs might be important for the maintenance of latent infections.

scholarly journals The RNA Chaperone Hfq Is Required for Virulence of Bordetella pertussis

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 4081-4090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Bibova ◽  
Karolina Skopova ◽  
Jiri Masin ◽  
Ondrej Cerny ◽  
David Hot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bordetella Pertussis ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Rna Chaperone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Mrna Targets

ABSTRACTBordetella pertussisis a Gram-negative pathogen causing the human respiratory disease called pertussis or whooping cough. Here we examined the role of the RNA chaperone Hfq inB. pertussisvirulence. Hfq mediates interactions between small regulatory RNAs and their mRNA targets and thus plays an important role in posttranscriptional regulation of many cellular processes in bacteria, including production of virulence factors. We characterized anhfqdeletion mutant (Δhfq) ofB. pertussis18323 and show that the Δhfqstrain produces decreased amounts of the adenylate cyclase toxin that plays a central role inB. pertussisvirulence. Production of pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin was affected to a lesser extent.In vitro, the ability of the Δhfqstrain to survive within macrophages was significantly reduced compared to that of the wild-type (wt) strain. The virulence of the Δhfqstrain in the mouse respiratory model of infection was attenuated, with its capacity to colonize mouse lungs being strongly reduced and its 50% lethal dose value being increased by one order of magnitude over that of the wt strain. In mixed-infection experiments, the Δhfqstrain was then clearly outcompeted by the wt strain. This requirement for Hfq suggests involvement of small noncoding RNA regulation inB. pertussisvirulence.

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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