title: The role of two-component regulation systems in the physiology of the bacterial cell.
abstract: Two-component regulation systems (TCRSs) are the dominant type of signal transduction system in prokaryotes that are used to inform the cellular trancriptional machinery (and additional targets for regulation, like the motility apparatus) about actual changes in the extracellular physicochemical conditions. We now review their molecular structure and enzymatic characteristics, their mutual interactions and its implications, and their role in cellular physiology. Specific emphasis is placed on the ArcB/A system, a representative of the phosphorelay type of TCRS, and a key player in the adjustment of the cellular make-up of enterobacteria in response to alterations in the oxygen availability. Also some applied aspects of the TCRSs are discussed, i.e. their role as a target to develop new anti-bacterials and their application in biotechnology (or: 'synthetic biology').
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Microbiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bekker
authors.forename: M Joost
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teixeira de Mattos
authors.forename: Klaas J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hellingwerf
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D004777:Environment; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D000071677:Histidine Kinase; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C041610:arcA protein, E coli; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000071677:Histidine Kinase; C065271:arcB protein, E coli; D010100:Oxygen