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Control of gene expression by FNR-like proteins in facultatively anaerobic bacteria

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Abstract

Facultatively anaerobic bacteria are able to adapt to many different growth conditions. Their capability to change their metabolism optimally is often ensured by FNR-like proteins. The FNR protein ofEscherichia coli functions as the main regulator during the aerobic-to-anaerobic switch. Low oxygen tensions activate this protein which is expressed constitutively and is inactive under aerobic conditions. The active form is dimeric and contains a [4Fe−4S]2+ cluster. The direct dissociation of the cluster to the [2Fe−2S]2+ cluster by the effect of oxygen leads to destabilization of the FNR dimer and to loss of its activity. The active FNR induces the expression of many anaerobic genes; the set comprises over 100 of controlled genes. Many other bacteria contain one or more FNR analogues. All these proteins form the FNR family of regulatory proteins. Properties of these proteins are very distinct, sometimes even among representatives of different strains of the same bacterial species. FNR-like proteins together with other regulators (e.g., two-component system ArcBA, nitrate-sensing system NarXL,etc.) control a complicated network of modulons that is characteristic for every species or even strain and enables fine tuning of gene expression.

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Abbreviations

ArcA:

aerobic respiratory control protein

ANR:

anaerobic arginine deaminase and nitrate reductase regulator

CAP:

catabolite activator protein

DNR:

dissimilatory nitrate respiration regulator

FNR:

fumarate and nitrate reduction regulator

IHF:

integration host factor

NarR:

nitrate reductase-operon regulator

NarXL:

system of sensor for nitrate (and/or nitrite) NarX and NarL regulator

NNR:

nitrite and nitric oxide reductases regulator

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37, Brno, Czechia

    J. Mazoch & I. Kučera

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  1. J. Mazoch
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Mazoch, J., Kučera, I. Control of gene expression by FNR-like proteins in facultatively anaerobic bacteria. Folia Microbiol 47, 95–103 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02817665

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