Closing the loop: the PmrA/PmrB two-component system negatively controls expression of its posttranscriptional activator PmrD

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15;100(8):4706-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0836837100. Epub 2003 Apr 3.

Abstract

A fundamental question in biology is how an organism integrates multiple signals to mediate an appropriate cellular response. The PmrAPmrB two-component system of Salmonella enterica can be activated independently by Fe(3+), which is sensed by the PmrB protein, and in low Mg(2+), which is sensed by the PhoQ protein. The low-Mg(2+) activation requires pmrD, a PhoPPhoQ-activated gene that activates the response regulator PmrA at a posttranscriptional level. We now report that pmrD expression is negatively regulated by the PmrAPmrB system. Conditions that activate the PmrA protein independently of pmrD, such as exposure to Fe(3+), resulted in lower levels of pmrD transcription. The PmrA protein footprinted the pmrD promoter upstream of the PhoP-binding site but did not interfere with binding of the PhoP protein. Mutation of the PmrA-binding site in the pmrD promoter abolished PmrA-mediated repression. Negative regulation of the PhoPPhoQ-activated pmrD gene by the PmrAPmrB system closes a regulatory circuit designed to maintain proper cellular levels of activated PmrA protein and constitutes a singular example of a multicomponent feedback loop.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Artificial Gene Fusion
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Feedback
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • PmrB protein, bacteria
  • PmrD protein, Salmonella
  • Transcription Factors
  • pmrA protein, Bacteria