Identification of Chlamydia trachomatis genomic sequences recognized by chlamydial divalent cation-dependent regulator A (DcrA)

The Chlamydia trachomatis divalent cation-dependent regulator (DorA), encoded by open reading frame CT296, is a distant relative of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) family of iron-responsive regulators. Chlamydial DcrA specifically binds to a consensus Escherichia coli Fur box and is able to complement an E. coli Fur mutant. In this report, the E. coli Fur titration assay (FURTA) was used to locate chlamydial genomic sequences that are recognized by E. coli Fur. The predictive regulatory regions of 28 C. trachomatis open reading frames contained sequences functionally recognized by E. coli Fur; targets include components of the type III secretion pathway, elements involved in envelope and cell wall biogenesis, predicted transport proteins, oxidative defense enzymes, and components of metabolic pathways. Selected FURTA-positive sequences were subsequently examined for recognition by C. trachomatis DcrA using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The resultant data show that C. trachomatis DcrA binds to native chlamydial genomic sequences and, overall, substantiate a functional relationship between chlamydial DorA and the Fur family of regulators.