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D-amino acids signal a stress-dependent run-away response in Vibrio cholerae
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- To explore favourable niches while avoiding threats, many bacteria use a chemotaxis navigation system. Despite decades of studies on chemotaxis, most signals and sensory proteins are still unknown. Many bacterial species release d-amino acids to the environment; however, their function remains largely unrecognized. Here we reveal that d-arginine and d-lysine are chemotactic repellent signals for the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae. These d-amino acids are sensed by a single chemoreceptor MCPDRK co-transcribed with the racemase enzyme that synthesizes them under the control of the stress-response sigma factor RpoS. Structural characterization of this chemoreceptor bound to either d-arginine or d-lysine allowed us to pinpoint the residues defining its specificity. Interestingly, the specificity for these d-amino acids appears to be restricted to those MCPDRK orthologues transcriptionally linked to the racemase. Our results suggest that d-amino acids can shape the biodiversity and structure of complex microbial communities under adverse conditions.
Details
- Database :
- OAIster
- Notes :
- application/pdf, English
- Publication Type :
- Electronic Resource
- Accession number :
- edsoai.on1400063593
- Document Type :
- Electronic Resource
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038.s41564-023-01419-6