Phosphate Transport System Research Articles

Alternative promoters in the pst operon of Escherichia coli

The pst operon of Escherichia coli is composed of five genes pstS, pstC, pstA, pstB and phoU, that encode a high-affinity phosphate transport system and a negative regulator of the PHO regulon. Transcription of pst is induced under phosphate shortage and is initiated at the promoter located upstream of the first gene of the operon, pstS. Here, we show by four different technical approaches the existence of additional internal promoters upstream of pstC, pstB and phoU. These promoters are not induced by Pi-limitation and do not possess PHO-box sequences. Plasmids carrying the pst internal genes partially complement chromosomal mutations in their corresponding genes, indicating that they are translated into functional proteins.

Influence of pH and Inorganic Phosphate on Toxicity of Zinc to Arthrobacter sp. Isolated from Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Sediments

Because of its high solubility over a wide range of pH conditions, zinc is found in many natural and human-impacted systems. Zinc speciation is critical in assessing zinc toxicity to microorganisms because it varies considerably with pH and is dependent on other aqueous constituents. Combined results of thermodynamic modeling, statistical analysis, and batch culture studies using Arthrobacter sp. JM018 suggest that the toxic species may not be solely limited to the free ion, but also includes ZnHPO(4)(0)(aq). Cellular uptake of ZnHPO(4)(0)(aq) through the inorganic phosphate transporter (Pit family), which requires a neutral metal phosphate complex for phosphate transport, may explain the observed toxicity. Based on visual MINTEQ (v3.0) modeling, at 50 μM total zinc, ZnHPO(4)(0)(aq) constitutes 33, 70, and 76% of the neutral metal phosphate pool at pH 6, 7, and 8, respectively. At 50 μM total zinc, cultures supplied with organic phosphate (glycerol-3-phosphate) show no significant response to pH (p = 0.13) while inhibition of inorganic phosphate-supplemented cultures, whose neutral metal phosphates are increasingly dominated by ZnHPO(4)(0)(aq), show significant pH dependence (p = 9.45 × 10(-7)). Using sodium to decrease the distribution of ZnHPO(4)(0)(aq) in the neutral metal phosphate pool also decreased the pH dependent toxicity, further supporting this mechanism. These findings show the important role of minor zinc species in organism toxicity and have wider implications because the Pit inorganic phosphate transport system is widely distributed in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Comment on: Cerebrospinal fluid impairs antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin in vitro

Sir, Sauermann et al. recently investigated the influence of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin in vitro. Bacterial time–kill curves were performed in different media using fosfomycin concentrations below and above the MIC for two Staphylococcus aureus isolates with high and low susceptibility according to BSAC and CLSI definitions. In addition, they exposed the test strains to the fosfomycin pharmacokinetic profile measured at steady-state in the CSF of a selected patient with external ventricular drain-associated infection from a study published previously by our group in CSF obtained from pooled samples. Despite initial killing, the in vitro simulation of the selected pharmacokinetic profile showed terminal regrowth of the S. aureus isolates. The authors deduce from their experiments that the antibacterial activity of fosfomycin is notably reduced in human CSF and may not be sufficient to achieve bactericidal effects in the CNS. This is in contrast to the results of a previous in vivo pharmacokinetic study by our group, indicating that intravenous fosfomycin should provide sufficient antimicrobial concentrations in the CSF and, therefore, might qualify for the treatment of nosocomial intracranial infections. Though we cannot definitely rule out that in our study the combination of fosfomycin with other antibiotics as recommended by experimental and clinical data contributed to enhanced bacterial killing by fosfomycin with complete resolution of intracranial infection in all our patients, concerns arise when extrapolating the presented in vitro data to real-life clinical conditions. Unfortunately, Sauermann et al. do not give further information on the biochemical and cellular composition of the used CSF samples or the clinical condition of the respective patients from whom the CSF was obtained. This would have been of paramount interest for the correct interpretation of their in vitro results. It has to be emphasized that critical illness not only grossly alters the pharmacokinetics, but also influences the pharmacodynamics of anti-infective agents by a significant amount. In the case of nosocomial intracranial infections or intraventricular haemorrhage, the composition of CSF is significantly altered. CSF biochemistry and cytology reflect the nature and severity of the infection with elevated white cell count and reduced CSF glucose. Anaerobic metabolism of glucose results in lactate production, which interferes with CSF acidity. Lysis of cells releases proteins and other intracellular constituents, such as phosphorylated carbohydrates. As stated by Sauermann et al., glucose-6phosphate (G-6-P) is not detectable in human CSF under physiological conditions. Both aspects, namely CSF acidity and the release of phosphorylated carbohydrates, are of importance regarding the antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin: (i) fosfomycin activity is dependent on pH and its microbial killing is impaired at higher pH; and (ii) further, this substance utilizes the hexose phosphate transport system, which is inducible by G-6-P, as a way of entry into microorganisms. In our opinion, the ready availability of G-6-P can be regarded as an important biological determinant for the efficacy of fosfomycin in vivo. However, this assumption requires empirical proof. In our in vivo pharmacokinetic study, all patients suffered from haemorrhagic contamination of ventricular CSF due to primary disease and presented with ventriculitis. In view of the in vitro results presented by Sauermann et al. and our in vivo observations, we have reason to assume that the altered biochemical characteristics of the haemorrhagic and inflamed CSF seen in our patients indeed enhanced the antimicrobial activity exerted by fosfomycin under pathological conditions in human CSF. Based on these data, we are still convinced that co-administration of fosfomycin could represent an appropriate treatment option for nosocomial device-related intracranial infections with susceptible S. aureus isolates, especially in patients with allergy or intolerance to first-line therapy. Importantly, however, with the continuing emergence of multidrug-resistant staphylococci as frequent causes of nosocomial ventriculomeningitis in the neurocritical care patient population, treatment with novel antistaphylococcal agents with adequate CSF penetration, such as the oxazolidinone linezolid, should be considered.

Molecular Mechanisms of Ethanol-Induced Pathogenesis Revealed by RNA-Sequencing

Acinetobacter baumannii is a common pathogen whose recent resistance to drugs has emerged as a major health problem. Ethanol has been found to increase the virulence of A. baumannii in Dictyostelium discoideum and Caenorhabditis elegans models of infection. To better understand the causes of this effect, we examined the transcriptional profile of A. baumannii grown in the presence or absence of ethanol using RNA-Seq. Using the Illumina/Solexa platform, a total of 43,453,960 reads (35 nt) were obtained, of which 3,596,474 mapped uniquely to the genome. Our analysis revealed that ethanol induces the expression of 49 genes that belong to different functional categories. A strong induction was observed for genes encoding metabolic enzymes, indicating that ethanol is efficiently assimilated. In addition, we detected the induction of genes encoding stress proteins, including upsA, hsp90, groEL and lon as well as permeases, efflux pumps and a secreted phospholipase C. In stationary phase, ethanol strongly induced several genes involved with iron assimilation and a high-affinity phosphate transport system, indicating that A. baumannii makes a better use of the iron and phosphate resources in the medium when ethanol is used as a carbon source. To evaluate the role of phospholipase C (Plc1) in virulence, we generated and analyzed a deletion mutant for plc1. This strain exhibits a modest, but reproducible, reduction in the cytotoxic effect caused by A. baumannii on epithelial cells, suggesting that phospholipase C is important for virulence. Overall, our results indicate the power of applying RNA-Seq to identify key modulators of bacterial pathogenesis. We suggest that the effect of ethanol on the virulence of A. baumannii is multifactorial and includes a general stress response and other specific components such as phospholipase C.

Transgenic expression of glucose dehydrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii enhances mineral phosphate solubilization and growth of sorghum seedlings

SummaryThe enzyme quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) catalyses the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid by direct oxidation in the periplasmic space of several Gram‐negative bacteria. Acidification of the external environment with the release of gluconic acid contributes to the solubilization of the inorganic phosphate by biofertilizer strains of the phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria. Glucose dehydrogenase (gcd) gene from Escherichia coli, and Azotobacter‐specific glutamine synthetase (glnA) and phosphate transport system (pts) promoters were isolated using sequence‐specific primers in a PCR‐based approach. Escherichia coli gcd, cloned under the control of glnA and pts promoters, was mobilized into Azotobacter vinelandii AvOP and expressed. Sorghum seeds were bacterized with the transgenic azotobacters and raised in earthen pots in green house. The transgenic azotobacters, expressing E. coli gcd, showed improved biofertilizer potential in terms of mineral phosphate solubilization and plant growth‐promoting activity with a small reduction in nitrogen fixation ability.

A shotgun lipidomics approach in Sinorhizobium meliloti as a tool in functional genomics

A shotgun lipidomics approach that allowed the analysis of eight lipid classes directly from crude extracts of the soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is presented. New MS-MS transitions are reported for the analysis of monomethylphosphatidylethanolamines, dimethylphosphatidylethanolamines, and three bacterial non-phosphorus-containing lipid classes [sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols, ornithines, and diacylglyceryl-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserines]. Unique MS-MS transitions allowed the analysis of isomeric species from various lipid classes without chromatography. Analyses required small sample amounts and minimal preparation; thus, this methodology has excellent potential to be used as a screening tool for the analysis of large numbers of samples in functional genomics studies. FA distributions within lipid classes of S. meliloti are described for the first time, and the relative positions of fatty acyl substituents (sn-1, sn-2) in phospholipids are presented. FA distributions in diacylglyceryl-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserines were identical to those of phospholipids, indicating a common biosynthetic origin for these lipids. The method was applied to the analysis of mutants deficient in the PhoB regulator protein. Increased lipid cyclopropanation was observed in PhoB-deficient mutants under P(i) starvation.

Cross‐talk between two global regulators in Streptomyces: PhoP and AfsR interact in the control of afsS, pstS and phoRP transcription

The regulatory proteins AfsR and PhoP control expression of the biosynthesis of actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin in Streptomyces coelicolor. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that PhoP(DBD) does not bind directly to the actII-ORF4, redD and atrA promoters, but it binds to the afsS promoter, in a region overlapping with the AfsR operator. DNase I footprinting studies revealed a PhoP protected region of 26 nt (PHO box; two direct repeats of 11 nt) that overlaps with the AfsR binding sequence. Binding experiments indicated a competition between AfsR and PhoP; increasing concentrations of PhoP(DBD) resulted in the disappearance of the AfsR-DNA complex. Expression studies using the reporter luxAB gene coupled to afsS promoter showed that PhoP downregulates afsS expression probably by a competition with the AfsR activator. Interestingly, AfsR binds to other PhoP-regulated promoters including those of pstS (a component of the phosphate transport system) and phoRP (encoding the two component system itself). Analysis of the AfsR-protected sequences in each of these promoters allowed us to distinguish the AfsR binding sequence from the overlapping PHO box. The reciprocal regulation of the phoRP promoter by AfsR and of afsS by PhoP suggests a fine interplay of these regulators on the control of secondary metabolism.

The low-affinity phosphate transporter PitA is dispensable for in vitro growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis

BackgroundMycobacteria have been shown to contain an apparent redundancy of high-affinity phosphate uptake systems, with two to four copies of such systems encoded in all mycobacterial genomes sequenced to date. In addition, all mycobacteria also contain at least one gene encoding the low-affinity phosphate transporter, Pit. No information is available on a Pit system from a Gram-positive microorganism, and the importance of this system in a background of multiple other phosphate transporters is unclear.ResultsThe aim of this study was to determine the physiological role of the PitA phosphate transporter in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Expression of pitA was found to be constitutive under a variety of growth conditions. An unmarked deletion mutant in pitA of M. smegmatis was created. The deletion did not affect in vitro growth or phosphate uptake of M. smegmatis. Expression of the high-affinity transporters, PstSCAB and PhnDCE, was increased in the pitA deletion strain.ConclusionPitA is the only low-affinity phosphate transport system annotated in the genome of M. smegmatis. The lack of phenotype of the pitA deletion strain shows that this system is dispensable for in vitro growth of this organism. However, increased expression of the remaining phosphate transporters in the mutant indicates a compensatory mechanism and implies that PitA is indeed used for the uptake of phosphate in M. smegmatis.

Expression of the pstS gene of Streptomyces lividans is regulated by the carbon source and is partially independent of the PhoP regulator.

BackgroundPstS is a phosphate-binding lipoprotein that is part of the high-affinity phosphate transport system. Streptomyces lividans accumulates high amounts of the PstS protein in the supernatant of liquid cultures grown in the presence of different carbon sources, such as fructose or mannose, but not in the presence of glucose or in basal complex medium.ResultsFunctionality experiments revealed that this extracellular PstS protein does not have the capacity to capture phosphate and transfer it to the cell. Regulation of the pstS promoter was studied with Northern blot experiments, and protein levels were detected by Western blot analysis. We observed that the pstS gene was expressed in cultures containing glucose or fructose, but not in complex basal medium. Northern blot analyses revealed that the pst operon (pstSCAB) was transcribed as a whole, although higher transcript levels of pstS relative to those of the other genes of the operon (pstC, pstA and pstB) were observed. Deletion of the -329/-144 fragment of the pstS promoter, including eight degenerated repeats of a sequence of 12 nucleotides, resulted in a two-fold increase in the expression of this promoter, suggesting a regulatory role for this region. Additionally, deletion of the fragment corresponding to the Pho boxes recognized by the PhoP regulator (from nucleotide -141 to -113) resulted in constitutive pstS expression that was independent of this regulator. Thus, the PhoP-independent expression of the pstS gene makes this system different from all those studied previously.Conclusion1.- In S. lividans, only the PstS protein bound to the cell has the capacity to bind phosphate and transfer it there, whereas the PstS form accumulated in the supernatant lacks this capacity. 2.- The stretch of eight degenerated repeats present in the pstS promoter may act as a binding site for a repressor. 3.- There is a basal expression of the pstS gene that is not controlled by the main regulator: PhoP.

Transcriptional Processing of the pst Operon of Escherichia coli

The pst operon of Escherichia coli is composed of five genes that encode a high-affinity phosphate transport system. pst belongs to the PHO regulon, which is a group of genes and operons that are induced in response to phosphate limitation. The pst operon also has a regulatory role in the repression of PHO genes' transcription under phosphate excess conditions. Transcription of pst is initiated at the promoter located upstream to the first gene, pstS. Immediately after its synthesis, the primary transcript of pst is cleaved into shorter mRNA molecules in a ribonuclease E-dependent manner. Other ribonucleases, such as RNase III and MazF, do not play a role in pst mRNA processing. RNase E is thus at least partially responsible for processing the pst primary transcript.

Stability of the pstS transcript of Escherichia coli

The pst operon of Escherichia coli is composed of five genes that encode a high-affinity phosphate transport system. As a member of the PHO regulon, pst transcription is activated under phosphate shortage conditions. Under phosphate-replete conditions, the pst operon also functions as a negative regulator of the PHO genes. Transcription of pst is initiated at the promoter located upstream to the first gene, pstS. Immediately after its synthesis, the primary transcript of pst is cleaved into shorter mRNA molecules. The transcription unit corresponding to pstS is significantly more abundant than the transcripts of the other pst genes due to stabilisation of pstS mRNA by a repetitive extragenic palindrome (REP) structure downstream to the pstS locus. The presence of the REP sequence also results in an increased level of PstS proteins. However, the surplus level of PstS proteins produced in the presence of REP does not contribute to the repressive role of Pst in PHO expression.

The Phosphate Transport System of Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli is Involved in Adherence to the Host

Evaluation of: Ferreira GM, Spira B: The pst operon of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli enhances bacterial adherence to epithelial cells. Microbiology 154(7), 2025-2036 (2008). Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) colonization of the human intestinal epithelium constitutes a complex, two-stage process, which involves multiple virulence factors that are expressed in response to numerous environmental signals. Ferreira and Spira present evidence that the phosphate transport system is involved in regulating EPEC colonization in a novel manner that does not appear to involve inorganic phosphate sensing.

Transport and compartmentation of phosphite in higher plant cells – kinetic and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies

Phosphite (Phi, H(2)PO(3)(-)), being the active part of several fungicides, has been shown to influence not only the fungal metabolism but also the development of phosphate-deficient plants. However, the mechanism of phosphite effects on plants is still widely unknown. In this paper we analysed uptake, subcellular distribution and metabolic effects of Phi in tobacco BY-2 cells using in vivo(31)P nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P-NMR) spectroscopy. Based on the kinetic properties of the phosphate transport system of tobacco BY-2 cells, it was demonstrated that phosphite inhibited phosphate uptake in a competitive manner. To directly follow the fate of phosphate and phosphite in cytoplasmic and vacuolar pools of tobacco cells, we took advantage of the pH-sensitive chemical shift of the Phi anion. The NMR studies showed a distinct cytoplasmic accumulation of Phi in Pi-deprived cells, whereas Pi resupply resulted in a rapid efflux of Phi. Pi-preloaded cells shifted Phi directly into vacuoles. These studies allowed for the first time to follow Phi flux processes in an in vivo setting in plants. On the other hand, the external Pi nutrition status and the metabolic state of the cells had a strong influence on the intracellular compartmentalization of xenobiotic Phi.

Characterization of the Pho89 phosphate transporter by functional hyperexpression inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The Na(+)-coupled, high-affinity Pho89 plasma membrane phosphate transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has so far been difficult to study because of its low activity and special properties. In this study, we have used a pho84Deltapho87Deltapho90Deltapho91Delta quadruple deletion strain of S. cerevisiae devoid of all transporter genes specific for inorganic phosphate, except for PHO89, to functionally characterize Pho89 under conditions where its expression is hyperstimulated. Under these conditions, the Pho89 protein is strongly upregulated and is the sole high-capacity phosphate transporter sustaining cellular acquisition of inorganic phosphate. Even if Pho89 is synthesized in cells grown at pH 4.5-8.0, the transporter is functionally active under alkaline conditions only, with a K(m) value reflecting high-affinity properties of the transporter and with a transport rate about 100-fold higher than that of the protein in a wild-type strain. Even under these hyperexpressive conditions, Pho89 is unable to sense and signal extracellular phosphate levels. In cells grown at pH 8.0, Pho89-mediated phosphate uptake at alkaline pH is cation-dependent with a strong activation by Na(+) ions and sensitivity to carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. The contribution of H(+)- and Na(+)-coupled phosphate transport systems in wild-type cells grown at different pH values was quantified. The contribution of the Na(+)-coupled transport system to the total cellular phosphate uptake activity increases progressively with increasing pH.

Fundamental links between genes and elements: evolutionary implications of ecological stoichiometry

Organisms require elements to live and reproduce. We already know that availability of certain elements [e.g. phosphorus (P)] is highly variable spatiotemporally. In addition, there is variability in demand for various elements ontogenetically, as well as phylogenetically. Nonetheless, we know little about the underlying causes for such variation. In this study, we surveyed the literature to identify genes involved in the homeostasis of one biogenic element, P. Evidence from the literature suggests that variation in the environmental supply of P affects expression of highly conserved genes (e.g. the phosphate transporter system). In addition, we found evidence for genetic variation in the acquisition, assimilation, and allocation of P. Such effects of P supply should impinge on fitness, and drive evolutionary change. Further understanding of the inter- and intraspecific fitness consequences to imbalances in the availability of P in relation to other biogenic elements may be useful to disentangle primary mechanisms driving diversifications. We argue that studying the interactions between stoichiometric constraints and underlying genes is relevant to the majority of organisms, and conclude by furnishing information on designing and interpreting experiments using this approach.

Bioenergetic models for acetate and phosphate transport in bacteria important in enhanced biological phosphorus removal

Most of our understanding of the physiology of microorganisms is the result of investigations in pure culture. However, in order to understand complex environmental processes, there is a need to investigate mixed microbial communities. This is true for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), an environmental process that results in the enrichment of the polyphosphate-accumulating organism Accumulibacter spp. and the glycogen non-polyphosphate accumulating organism Defluviicoccus spp. We investigated acetate and inorganic phosphate (P(i)) uptake in enrichments of Accumulibacter spp. and acetate uptake in enrichments of Defluviicoccus spp. For both enrichments, anaerobic acetate uptake assays in the presence of the protonophore, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) or the membrane potential (Delta psi) uncoupler valinomycin, indicated that acetate is likely to be taken up by a permease-mediated process driven by the Delta psi. Further investigation with the sodium ionophore monensin suggested that anaerobic acetate uptake by Defluviicoccus spp. may in part be dependent on a sodium potential. Results of this study also suggest that Accumulibacter spp. generate a proton motive force (pmf or Delta p) for anaerobic acetate uptake by efflux of protons in symport with P(i) through an inorganic phosphate transport (Pit) system. In contrast, we suggest that the anaerobic Delta p in Defluviicoccus spp. is generated by an efflux of protons across the cell membrane by the fumarate respiratory system, or by extrusion of sodium ions via decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-CoA. Aerobic P(i) uptake by the Accumulibacter spp. enrichment was strongly inhibited in the presence of an ATPase inhibitor, suggesting that the phosphate-specific transport (Pst) system is important even under relatively high concentrations of P(i). Acetate permease activity in these microorganisms may play an important role in the competition for acetate in the often acetate-limited EBPR process. Activity of a high-velocity Pst system in Accumulibacter spp. may further explain its ability to compete strongly in EBPR.

Inactivation of an Iron Transporter in Lactococcus lactis Results in Resistance to Tellurite and Oxidative Stress

In Lactococcus lactis, the interactions between oxidative defense, metal metabolism, and respiratory metabolism are not fully understood. To provide an insight into these processes, we isolated and characterized mutants of L. lactis resistant to the oxidizing agent tellurite (TeO(3)(2-)), which generates superoxide radicals intracellularly. A collection of tellurite-resistant mutants was obtained using random transposon mutagenesis of L. lactis. These contained insertions in genes encoding a proton-coupled Mn(2+)/Fe(2+) transport homolog (mntH), the high-affinity phosphate transport system (pstABCDEF), a putative osmoprotectant uptake system (choQ), and a homolog of the oxidative defense regulator spx (trmA). The tellurite-resistant mutants all had better survival than the wild type following aerated growth. The mntH mutant was found to be impaired in Fe(2+) uptake, suggesting that MntH is a Fe(2+) transporter in L. lactis. This mutant is capable of carrying out respiration but does not generate as high a final pH and does not exhibit the long lag phase in the presence of hemin and oxygen that is characteristic of wild-type L. lactis. This study suggests that tellurite-resistant mutants also have increased resistance to oxidative stress and that intracellular Fe(2+) can heighten tellurite and oxygen toxicity.

Genome‐wide transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of the primary response to phosphate limitation in Streptomyces coelicolor M145 and in a ΔphoP mutant

Phosphate limitation in Streptomyces and in other bacteria triggers expression changes of a large number of genes. This response is mediated by the two-component PhoR-PhoP system. A Streptomyces coelicolor DeltaphoP mutant (lacking phoP) has been obtained by gene replacement. A genome-wide analysis of the primary response to phosphate limitation using transcriptomic and proteomic studies has been made in the parental S. coelicolor M145 and in the DeltaphoP mutant strains. Statistical analysis of the contrasts between the four sets of data generated (two strains under two phosphate conditions) allowed the classification of all genes into 12 types of profiles. The primary response to phosphate limitation involves upregulation of genes encoding scavenging enzymes needed to obtain phosphate from different phosphorylated organic compounds and overexpression of the high-affinity phosphate transport system pstSCAB. Clear interactions have been found between phosphate metabolism and expression of nitrogen-regulated genes and between phosphate and nitrate respiration genes. PhoP-dependent repressions of antibiotic biosynthesis and of the morphological differentiation genes correlated with the observed DeltaphoP mutant phenotype. Bioinformatic analysis of the presence of PHO boxes (PhoP-binding sequences) in the upstream regions of PhoP-controlled genes were validated by binding of PhoP, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

Proteome phenotyping of acid stress‐resistant mutants of Lactococcus lactis MG1363

To cope with medium acidity, Lactococcus lactis has evolved a number of inducible mechanisms commonly referred as acid stress response. To better understand the molecular basis of this response, several mutants constitutively tolerant to acidity were previously obtained by insertional random mutagenesis of L. lactis MG1363. Mutants in which the GMP synthase gene (i.e. guaA), the (p)ppGpp synthase gene (i.e. relA*) or the high affinity phosphate transport system (i.e. pstS) are inactivated are further characterized in this study. 2-DE was performed and showed that 42, 26, and 35 protein spots are positively deregulated in the guaA, relA*, and pstS mutants, respectively, as compared to the wild-type strain. Most of these proteins were identified by MS. Proteomes comparison of the mutants guaA, relA*, and pstS as well as the acid adaptation proteome of the wild-type strain revealed (i) the presence of numerous overlaps and (ii) that only five proteins were overexpressed in the four conditions, suggesting that these proteins play a crucial role in the constitutive acid stress tolerance of the mutants and in the acid tolerance response of the wild-type strain.

Genetic characterization of psp encoding the DING protein in Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25

BackgroundDING proteins constitute a conserved and broadly distributed set of proteins found in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals (including humans). Characterization of DING proteins from animal and plant tissues indicated ligand-binding ability suggesting a role for DING proteins in cell signaling and biomineralization. Surprisingly, the genes encoding DING proteins in eukaryotes have not been identified in the eukaryotic genome or EST databases. Recent discovery of a DING homologue (named Psp here) in the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 provided a unique opportunity to investigate the physiological roles of DING proteins. P. fluorescens SBW25 is a model bacterium that can efficiently colonize plant surfaces and enhance plant health. In this report we genetically characterize Psp with a focus on conditions under which psp is expressed and the protein exported.ResultsPsp is closely related to the periplasmic Pi binding component of the ABC-type phosphate transporter system (Pst). psp is flanked by a gene cluster predicted to function as a type II protein secretion system (Hxc). Deletion analysis combined with chromosomally integrated 'lacZ fusions showed that both psp and pstC are induced by Pi limitation and that pstC is required for competitive growth of the bacterium in Pi limited medium. hxcR is not regulated by Pi limitation. Psp was detected (using anti-DING serum) in the supernatant of wild-type culture but was greatly reduced in the supernatant of an isogenic strain carrying an hxcR mutation (ΔhxcR). A promoter fusion between hxcR and a promoterless copy of a gene ('dapB) essential for growth in the plant environment showed that expression of hxcR is elevated during colonization of sugar beet seedlings. A similar analysis of psp showed that it is not induced in the plant environment.ConclusionPsp gene is expressed under conditions of Pi limitation. It is an exoprotein secreted mainly via the Hxc type II secretion system, whose expression is elevated on plant surfaces. We propose that Psp is involved in extracellular scavenging of phosphates, which are subsequently taken up by the cell-bound Pst transport system.