Role of the spacer between the -35 and -10 regions in sigmas promoter selectivity in Escherichia coli

In vitro, the sigma(s) subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP), RpoS, recognizes nearly identical -35 and -10 promoter consensus sequences as the vegetative sigma70. In vivo, promoter selectivity of RNAP holoenzyme containing either sigma(s) (Esigma(s)) or sigma70 (Esigma70) seems to be achieved by the differential ability of the two holoenzymes to tolerate deviations from the promoter consensus sequence. In this study, we suggest that many natural sigma(s)-dependent promoters possess a -35 element, a feature that has been considered as not conserved among sigma(s)-dependent promoters. These -35 hexamers are mostly non-optimally spaced from the -10 region, but nevertheless functional. A +/- 2 bp deviation from the optimal spacer length of 17 bp or the complete absence of a -35 consensus sequence decreases overall promoter activity, but at the same time favours Esigma(s) in its competition with Esigma70 for promoter recognition. On the other hand, the reduction of promoter activity due to shifting of the -35 element can be counterbalanced by an activity-stimulating feature such as A/T-richness of the spacer region without compromising Esigma(s) selectivity. Based on mutational analysis of sigma(s), we suggest a role of regions 2.5 and 4 of sigma(s) in sensing sub-optimally located -35 elements.     

Activation of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifU promoter: identification of multiple and overlapping upstream NifA binding sites.

The Klebsiella pneumoniae nifU promoter is positively controlled by the NifA protein and requires a form of RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing the rpoN encoded sigma factor, sigma 54. Occupancy of the K. pneumoniae nifU promoter by NifA was examined using in vivo dimethyl sulphate footprinting. Three binding sites for NifA (Upstream Activator Sequences, UASs 1, 2 and 3) located at -125, -116 and -72 were identified which conform to the UAS consensus sequence TGT-N10-ACA. An additional NifA binding site was identified at position -90. The UASs located at -125 (UAS1) and -116 (UAS2) overlap and do not appear to bind NifA as independent sites. They may represent a NifA binding site interacting with two NifA dimers. UAS3 is located at -72, and abuts a binding site for integration host factor (IHF) and is not normally highly occupied by NifA. In the absence of IHF UAS3 showed increased occupancy by NifA. Mutational and footprinting analysis of the three UASs indicates (1) IHF and NifA can compete for binding and that this competition influences the level of expression from the nifU promoter (2) that UAS2 is a principle sequence of the UAS 1,2 region required for activation and (3) that none of the NifA binding sites interacts with NifA independently. In vivo KMnO4 footprinting demonstrated that NifA catalyses open complex formation at the nifU promoter. IHF was required for maximal expression from the nifU and nifH promoters in Escherichia coli, and for the establishment of a Nif+ phenotype in E. coli from the nif plasmid pRD1.     

Environmentally regulated algD promoter is responsive to the cAMP receptor protein in Escherichia coli

The environmentally activated algD promoter of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to be influenced by DNA supercoiling. It is believed that protein-induced bending or looping is required for this activation. We studied the role of Escherichia coli cAMP-CRP on algD promoter activation in E. coli and show that a functional CRP is required for this activation. We also demonstrate that the algD promoter is sensitive to glucose repression both in E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Deletion of a putative consensus CRP binding sequence upstream of the algD promoter renders the promoter non-responsive to glucose repression. The involvement of cAMP-CRP complex in the activation of the algD promoter in E. coli has been demonstrated directly through binding of a 255 base pair DNA fragment containing the putative consensus CRP binding sequence. Other fragments, upstream or downstream but without any consensus CRP binding sequence, did not show any binding with CRP. A CRP-like analogue, similar to that in Xanthomonas campestris, but capable of activating genes without forming a complex with cAMP, is believed to allow glucose repression in P. aeruginosa.     

lac Up-promoter mutants with increased homology to the consensus promoter sequence.

Four lac promoter mutants were constructed. The mutations increased the homology between the lac promoter and the consensus promoter sequences by introducing the consensus -10 and -35 regions and the consensus spacing of 17 residues between these two regions. The promoter mutants were cloned into a pBR322-derivatized vector upstream from the lacZ gene, and levels of beta-galactosidase were an indication of promoter activity. All mutants exhibited higher activity than did the wild-type promoter.     

Compilation and analysis of Escherichia coli promoter DNA sequences.

The DNA sequence of 168 promoter regions (-50 to +10) for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase were compiled. The complete listing was divided into two groups depending upon whether or not the promoter had been defined by genetic (promoter mutations) or biochemical (5' end determination) criteria. A consensus promoter sequence based on homologies among 112 well-defined promoters was determined that was in substantial agreement with previous compilations. In addition, we have tabulated 98 promoter mutations. Nearly all of the altered base pairs in the mutants conform to the following general rule: down-mutations decrease homology and up-mutations increase homology to the consensus sequence.