title: GacA regulates the PTSNtr-dependent control of cyst formation in Azotobacter vinelandii.
abstract: Azotobacter vinelandii forms cysts resistant to desiccation and produces polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), alginate and alkylresorcinols (ARs) that are components of mature cysts. The expression of genes involved in the synthesis of these compounds is under the control of the GacA-RsmA global regulatory system where the RsmA protein represses the translation of mRNAs involved in the synthesis of these polymers. The synthesis of PHB and ARs is also controlled by the Nitrogen-regulated phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr) global regulatory system. When unphosphorylated, the Enzyme IIANtr(EIIANtr) protein impairs the synthesis of PHB and ARs. Here we show that cells of gacA mutants, as well as mutants that carry the EIIANtrprotein in its unphosphorylated state, have similar encysting negative phenotypes. Interestingly, we found that in the gacA mutant strain, the EIIANtrprotein was present in its unphosphorylated state. These data indicated that in addition to the GacA-RsmA system, GacA controls polymer synthesis and encystment by controlling the phosphorylation of the EIIANtr, revealing a previously unrecognized link between GacA and PTSNtr.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México.
authors.forename: Adan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trejo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México.
authors.forename: Soledad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cocotl-Yañez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México espin@ibt.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Espín
mesh_terms: D016948:Azotobacter vinelandii / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010731:Phosphoenolpyruvate Sugar Phosphotransferase System / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011091:Polyesters / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000378:metabolism; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D010731:Phosphoenolpyruvate Sugar Phosphotransferase System; D011091:Polyesters; D012118:Resorcinols; C091100:GacA protein, Bacteria; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
keywords: Alkylresorcinols; Azotobacter vinelandii; Cysts; EIIANtr; GacA–Rsm