Abstract

Endogenous S-nitrosylation of proteins, a principal mechanism of cellular signaling in eukaryotes, has not been observed in microbes. We report that protein S-nitrosylation is an obligate concomitant of anaerobic respiration on nitrate in Escherichia coli. Endogenous S-nitrosylation during anaerobic respiration is controlled by the transcription factor OxyR, previously thought to operate only under aerobic conditions. Deletion of OxyR resulted in large increases in protein S-nitrosylation, and S-nitrosylation of OxyR induced transcription from a regulon that is distinct from the regulon induced by OxyR oxidation. Furthermore, products unique to the anaerobic regulon protected against S-nitrosothiols, and anaerobic growth of E. coli lacking OxyR was impaired on nitrate. Thus, OxyR serves as a master regulator of S-nitrosylation, and alternative posttranslational modifications of OxyR control distinct transcriptional responses.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Seth D, Hausladen A, Wang YJ, Stamler JS

Institution

Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Source

Science (New York, N.Y.) 336:6080 2012 Apr 27 pg 470-3

MeSH

Anaerobiosis
Culture Media
Escherichia coli K12
Escherichia coli Proteins
Nitrates
Nitric Oxide
Nitrites
Oxidation-Reduction
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Regulon
Repressor Proteins
S-Nitrosothiols
Transcriptional Activation

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22539721