The Escherichia coli BarA-UvrY two-component system is needed for efficient switching between glycolytic and gluconeogenic carbon sources.
The Escherichia coli BarA and UvrY proteins were recently demonstrated to constitute a novel two-component system, although its function has remained largely elusive. Here we show that mutations in the sensor kinase gene, barA, or the response regulator gene, uvrY, in uropathogenic E. coli drastically affect survival in long-term competition cultures. Using media with gluconeogenic carbon sources, the mutants have a clear growth advantage when competing with the wild type, but using media with carbon sources feeding into the glycolysis leads to a clear growth advantage for the wild type. Results from competitions with mutants in the carbon storage regulation system, CsrA/B, known to be a master switch between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, led us to propose that the BarA-UvrY two-component system controls the Csr system. Taking these results together, we propose the BarA-UvrY two-component system is crucial for efficient adaptation between different metabolic pathways, an essential function for adaptation to a new environment.
Pernestig
Anna-Karin
AK
Microbiology and Tumorbiology Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
Georgellis
Dimitris
D
Romeo
Tony
T
Suzuki
Kazushi
K
Tomenius
Henrik
H
Normark
Staffan
S
Melefors
Ojar
O
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005943:Gluconeogenesis; D006019:Glycolysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D014157:Transcription Factors
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C419603:UvrY protein, E coli; C074276:barA protein, E coli; D002244:Carbon; D007501:Iron; D010770:Phosphotransferases