Fumarate and nitrate reduction (FNR) dependent activation of the Escherichia coli anaerobic ribonucleotide reductase nrdDG promoter

Authors

  • Ignasi Roca Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
  • Ester Ballana Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
  • Anaïs Panosa Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
  • Eduard Torrents Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
  • Isidre Gibert Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Keywords:

Escherichia coli, fumarate and nitrate reduction (FNR), ribonucleotide reductase, gene nrd

Abstract

The nrdDG promoter regulates transcriptional expression of the anaerobic ribonucleotide reductase of Escherichia coli, an essential enzyme required to supply the building blocks for DNA synthesis. In this work, binding of the pleiotropic FNR (fumarate and nitrate reduction) transcriptional regulator to the nrdDG promoter region and the effects of binding on transcription were investigated. Gel retardation analysis with purified FNR* demonstrated FNR interaction at two FNR sites, termed FNR-2 and FNR-1, while studies with altered FNR boxes indicated that the upstream FNR-2 site was essential for anaerobic activation of the nrdDG promoter. Although the FNR-1 site was not absolutely required, it allowed maximal expression of this promoter. These results suggest that the two sites have an additive effect in coordinating nrdDG expression in response to shifting oxygen concentrations. [Int Microbiol 2008; 11(1):49-56]

Author Biographies

Ignasi Roca, Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Ester Ballana, Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Anaïs Panosa, Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Eduard Torrents, Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Isidre Gibert, Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Bacterial Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

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Published

2010-01-19

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Research Articles

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