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Sigma factor dependent translational activation in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Sigma factors are an important class of bacterial transcription factors that lend specificity to RNA polymerases by binding to distinct promoter elements for genes in their regulons. Here we show that activation of the general stress sigma factor, σ^B, in Bacillus subtilis paradoxically leads to dramatic induction of translation for a subset of its regulon genes. These genes are translationally repressed when transcribed by the housekeeping sigma factor, σ^A, owing to extended RNA secondary structures as determined in vivo using DMS-MaPseq. Transcription from σ^B-dependent promoters ablates the secondary structures and activates translation, leading to dual induction. Translation efficiencies between σ^B- and σ^A-dependent RNA isoforms can vary by up to 100-fold, which in multiple cases exceeds the magnitude of transcriptional induction. These results highlight the role of long-range RNA folding in modulating translation and demonstrate that a transcription factor can regulate protein synthesis beyond its effects on transcript levels.

SUBMITTER: McCormick DM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8208050 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sigma factor dependent translational activation in Bacillus subtilis.

McCormick Dylan M DM Lalanne Jean-Benoît JB Lan Tammy C T TCT Rouskin Silvi S Li Gene-Wei GW

RNA (New York, N.Y.) 20210429

Sigma factors are an important class of bacterial transcription factors that lend specificity to RNA polymerases by binding to distinct promoter elements for genes in their regulons. Here we show that activation of the general stress sigma factor, σB, in Bacillus subtilis paradoxically leads to dramatic induction of translation for a subset of its regulon genes. These genes are translationally repressed when transcribed by the housekeeping sigma factor, σA, owing to ...[more]

PMID: 33927010

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Project description:Seemingly simple bacteria mount intricate adaptive responses when exposed to physical stress or nutrient limitation, and the activation of these responses is governed by complex signal transduction networks. Upon entry into the stationary growth phase, the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis may develop natural competence, form biofilms or stress-resistant cells, or ultimately trigger a cellular differentiation program leading to spore formation. Master regulators, such as Spo0A, ComK, SinR, and SigB, constantly monitor the bacterium's environment and then determine appropriate adaptive responses. Here, we show that exposure of B. subtilis to visible light and other stresses triggers a general stress response-dependent block in competence development. SigB serves as an "emergency system" to silence inappropriate expression of an alternative developmental program in the face of unfavorable conditions. In particular, we document a stress-dependent molecular mechanism that prevents accumulation of the central competence regulator ComK via expression of a SigB-driven antisense RNA (as-comK, S365) which is part of a noncontiguous operon.ImportanceBacillus subtilis exhibits a large number of different specific and general adaptation reactions, which need to be well balanced to sustain survival under largely unfavorable conditions. Under specific conditions, natural competence develops, which enables B. subtilis to actively take up exogenous DNA to integrate it into its own genome. In contrast to this specific adaptation, the general stress response is induced by a variety of exogenous stress and starvation stimuli, providing comprehensive protection and enabling survival of vegetative B. subtilis cells. In the present work, we reveal the molecular basis for the interconnection of these two important responses in the regulatory network. We describe that the master regulator of the general stress response SigB is activated by physiological stress stimuli, including daylight and ethanol stress, leading to the inactivation of the competence master regulator ComK by transcriptional anti-sense regulation, showing a strict hierarchy of adaptational responses under severe stress.

Dataset Information

Sigma factor dependent translational activation in Bacillus subtilis.

Publications

Sigma factor dependent translational activation in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>.

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