TP0262 is a modulator of promoter activity of tpr Subfamily II genes of Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum.
Transcriptional regulation in Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum is poorly understood, primarily because this organism cannot be cultivated in vitro or genetically manipulated. We have recently shown a phase variation mechanism controlling transcription initiation of Subfamily II tpr (T. pallidumrepeat) genes (tprE, tprG and tprJ), a group of virulence factor candidates. Furthermore, the same study suggested that additional mechanisms might influence the level of transcription of these tprs. The T. pallidum genome sequence has revealed a few open reading frames with similarity to known bacterial transcription factors, including four catabolite activator protein homologues. In this work, sequences matching the Escherichia coli cAMP receptor protein (CRP) binding motif were identified in silico upstream of tprE, tprG and tprJ. Using elecrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNaseI footprinting assay, recombinant TP0262, a T. pallidum CRP homologue, was shown to bind specifically to amplicons obtained from the tpr promoters containing putative CRP binding motifs. Using a heterologous reporter system, binding of TP0262 to these promoters was shown to either increase (tprE and tprJ) or decrease (tprG) tpr promoter activity. This is the first characterization of a T. pallidum transcriptional modulator that influences tpr promoter activity.
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Lorenzo
L
Giacani
Charmie
C
Godornes
Maritza
M
Puray-Chavez
Cristina
C
Guerra-Giraldez
Martin
M
Tompa
Sheila A
SA
Lukehart
Arturo
A
Centurion-Lara
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D002373:Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018983:DNA Footprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002373:Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011994:Recombinant Proteins