Direct regulation of the natural competence regulator gene tfoX by cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cAMP receptor protein (CRP) in Vibrios

Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 7:5:14921. doi: 10.1038/srep14921.

Abstract

TfoX (Sxy) and CRP are two important competence activators. The link between tfoX and CRP has been shown in H. influenza but lacking evidence of direct interaction. Recently a Sxy-dependent CRP (CRP-S) site autoregulating Sxy was reported in E. coli. Here, we show that the cAMP-CRP complex transcriptionally regulates tfoX expression through multiple canonical CRP (CRP-N) sites in Vibrios. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of the tfoX mRNA levels and tfoX transcriptional reporter fusions. The reduced expression of tfoX(VC) was restored by trans-complementation of crp in ∆crp and by exogenous cAMP in ∆cya. A promoter deletion analysis and the site-directed mutagenesis of the putative CRP-N sites revealed the presence of two functional CRP-N sites. The direct binding of cAMP-CRP to the tfoX(VC)promoter was demonstrated by EMSA assays. Additionally, the transcriptional start site (TSS) of tfoX(VF) in V. fluvialis was determined, and -10/-35 regions were predicted. Further comparison of the tfoX promoter in Vibrios revealed the existence of similar -10 motifs and putative CRP-N sites, indicating the conserved mechanism of CRP regulation on tfoX. Our study demonstrates the direct binding of the cAMP-CRP complex to tfoX promoter, and broadens the understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating tfoX in Vibrios.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / metabolism*
  • DNA Transformation Competence / genetics*
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Vibrio / genetics
  • Vibrio / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein
  • Cyclic AMP