Induction of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase is required for acid tolerance in Vibrio vulnificus.
The manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) of Vibrio vulnificus, normally detected after the onset of the stationary phase, is expressed during the lag that immediately follows the transfer of cells grown exponentially to a fresh medium acidified to pH 5.0, whereas Fe-containing SOD is constitutively expressed. The signal triggering the growth lag and MnSOD induction therein is not low pH but intracellular superoxide accumulated under these conditions, since addition of a superoxide scavenger not only shortened the lag but also abrogated the MnSOD induction. If the lysine decarboxylase reaction proceeds in the presence of sufficient lysine, the broth is rapidly neutralized to abolish the generation of oxidative stress. Accordingly, the acid tolerance response was examined without the addition of lysine. SoxR regulates MnSOD induction. Lack of MnSOD caused by mutations in soxR or sodA resulted in low tolerance to low pH. The fur mutant derepressing MnSOD showed better tolerance than the wild type. Thus, an increase in total cytosolic SOD activity through MnSOD induction is essential for the cell to withstand the acid challenge. The contribution of cuprozinc-containing SOD to acid tolerance is not significant compared with those of cytosolic SODs.
Kim
Ju-Sim
JS
Department of Life Science and Interdisciplinary Program of Integrated Biotechnology, Sogang University, Seoul 121-742, Korea.
Sung
Moon-Hee
MH
Kho
Dhong-Hyo
DH
Lee
Jeong K
JK
D001483:Base Sequence; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D016296:Mutagenesis; D010957:Plasmids; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases; C021520:lysine decarboxylase