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Two MerR homologues that affect copper induction of the Bacillus subtilis copZA operon
- Source :
- Microbiology. Dec, 2003, Vol. 149 Issue 12, p3413, 9 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Copper ions induce expression of the Bacillus subtilis copZA operon encoding a metallochaperone, CopZ, and a CPx-type ATPase efflux protein, CopA. The copZA promoter region contains an inverted repeat sequence similar to that recognized by the mercury-sensing MerR protein. To investigate the possible involvement of MerR homologues in copZA regulation, null mutations were engineered affecting each of four putative MerR-type regulators: yyaN, yraB, yfmP and yhdQ. Two of these genes affected copper regulation. Mutation of yhdQ (hereafter renamed cueR) dramatically reduced copper induction of copZA, and purified CueR bound with high affinity to the copZA promoter region. These results suggest that CueR is a direct regulator of copZA transcription that mediates copper induction. Surprisingly, a yfmP mutation also reduced copper induction of copZA. Sequence analysis suggested that yfmP was cotranscribed with yfmO, encoding a putative multidrug efflux protein. The yfmPO operon is autoregulated: a yfmP mutation derepressed the yfmP promoter and purified YfmP bound the yfmP promoter region, but not the copZA promoter region. Since the yfmP mutant strain was predicted to express elevated levels of the YfmO efflux pump, it was hypothesized that copper efflux might be responsible for the reduced copZA induction. Consistent with this model, in a yfmP yfmO double mutant copper induction of copZA was normal. The results demonstrate the direct regulation of the B. subtilis copper efflux system by CueR, and indirect regulation by a putative multidrug efflux system.
- Subjects :
- Bacillus subtilis -- Genetic aspects
Bacillus subtilis -- Physiological aspects
Bacterial proteins -- Genetic aspects
Bacterial proteins -- Physiological aspects
Biosensors -- Physiological aspects
Copper -- Physiological aspects
Genetic regulation -- Physiological aspects
Genetic transcription -- Physiological aspects
Mercury compounds -- Physiological aspects
Metal ions -- Physiological aspects
Microbiology -- Research
Operons -- Genetic aspects
Operons -- Physiological aspects
Biological sciences
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13500872
- Volume :
- 149
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Microbiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.111854706