Bacteriology - signalling, motility, half of adhesion. Flashcards
(195 cards)
TFs bound by small molecules
LacI, a repressor
Fur
LacI signalling pathway
Allolactose binding LacI repressor prevents DNA binding and hence prevents repression. proteins involved in lactose metabolism.
Fur signalling pathway
In the host there is little iron. Iron binding (outside host) increases Fur binding to DNA. This represses virulence gene expression. One of these genes is pvdS.
PvdS role
a sigma factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa increasing transcription of toxR, prpL endoprotease (for tissue destruction) and genes for pyoverdine biosynthesis.
Examples of second messengers
cAMP, c-di-GMP, c-GMP, c-di-AMP.
cAMP synthesis and breakdown
Synthesised from ATP by cya in response to carbon limitation.
Broken down by CpdA to AMP.
cAMP signalling pathway
cAMP binds CRP (cAMP response protein) which binds promoters.
Results: activates catabolism from other sources, flagellar and virulence genes. Represses biofilm formation.
c-di-GMP synthesis and breakdown
Synthesised by diguanylate cyclases, with a sensing domain and a GGDEF domain for catalysis. Synthesis is via a 5’ pppGpG intermediate.
Phosphodiesterases with EAL or HD-GYP motifs breakdown.
c-di-GMP effects
Oppose cAMP: shift to less virulence. Also binds effector proteins.
Example of TF affected by c-di-GMP
VpsT is bound and stabilised as a dimer for transcription of the vps operon. Vps binds biofilm together in cholera.
Example of cellular protein affected by c-di-GMP signalling
c-di-GMP bound by EAL domain of FimX, which binds PilZ which interacts with PilB to stimulate pilus growth.
YcgR has PilZ domain. Acts as brake on flagellar motor when c-di-GMP is present.
RNA riboswitches
3D RNA structures that affect translation. May form in such a way that terminator or Shine-Delgardo sequences cannot be read.
Example of RNA riboswitch signalling.
c-di-GMP binds GEMM motif very tightly, regulating translation of flagella and pilus genes.
HK in HAP pathways
ATP binding domain, sensory input domain, phosphotransfer domain.
RR in HAP pathways
Response regulators. Have receiver domain and output domain.
HAP pathways in virulence
TrxSR two component system
EnvZ-OmpR –> SsrA/B –> SPI-2.
Cholera CAI-1 (Cqs) and AI-2 (LuxS)
DNA dep RNA pol initiation of transcription
Formed of ββ’α2ω. . Interaction with σ factor leads to formation of holoenzyme. σ factor recognizes specific promoter sequences, positions RNAP on DNA and facilitate unwinding near the start site. RNA pol recognizes -10, -35 and also extended -10 (recognized by σ) and UP element (recognized by α subunit).
RNAP and sigma factors are in short supply. What determines transcription?
Promoters, which sigma factors are present, small ligands, transcription factors and chromosome structure.
Control of sigma factors
By transcription. By anti-sigma factors.
Role of small ligands in controlling transcription
Very general. Some alter stability of RNAP complexes. E.g. ppGpp destabilises the open complex so globally decreases transcription. Starvation response.
Example of co-operation between signalling pathways
cAMP and LacI. If lactose is present LacI is sequestered, but when it is not, and cAMP binds CRP, cAMP-CRP bends the DNA so that the RNAP binds it better.
Example of phosphorylation of other pathways
Stks phosphorylate response regulators in HAP pathways.
Complications to signalling
Pathways: longer, intermediary steps. Co-operation with other pathways. Amplification. Positive feedback.
Complication to signals: response to QS depends on bacterial strain. Autoinhibitors, cholera.
Biosynthetic gene clusters
Microbiome constantly signalling within itself and to the host: recent study showed there are many biosynthetic gene clusters. We do not understand them all.