Integration of three signals at the Escherichia coli nrf promoter: a role for Fis protein in catabolite repression

Douglas F Browning, David C Grainger, Christine M Beatty, Alan J Wolfe, Jeffrey A Cole, Stephen J W Busby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Expression from the Escherichia coli nrf operon promoter is activated by the anaerobically triggered transcription factor, FNR, and by the nitrate/nitrite ion-controlled response regulators, NarL or NarP, but is repressed by the IHF and Fis proteins. Here, we present in vitro studies on the nrf promoter, using permanganate footprinting to measure open complex formation, and DNase I footprinting to monitor binding of the different regulators and the interactions between them. Our results show that open complex formation is completely dependent on FNR and is enhanced by NarL, but is repressed by IHF or Fis. NarL counteracts repression by IHF but is unable to alter repression by Fis. These results suggest mechanisms by which nrf promoter activity is modulated by the different factors. Expression from the nrf promoter is known to be repressed in rich media, especially in the presence of glucose, but the molecular basis of this is not understood. Here, we show that this catabolite repression is relieved by mutations that weaken the DNA site for Fis, improve the DNA site for FNR or improve the promoter -10 or -35 elements. Hence, Fis protein is a major factor responsible for catabolite repression at the nrf promoter, and Fis can override activation by FNR and NarL or NarP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)496-510
Number of pages15
JournalMolecular Microbiology
Volume57
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2005

Keywords

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Footprinting
  • DNA, Bacterial/metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Escherichia coli/genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism
  • Factor For Inversion Stimulation Protein
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Integration Host Factors/metabolism
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins/metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Transcription Factors/metabolism

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