The Cpx (conjugative pilus expression) two-component signal transduction system is a complex envelope stress response system in Gram-negative bacteria, which can sense a variety of extracellular stimuli that enter the signaling pathway at different points. The phosphorylation of the CpxR, the cytoplasmic cognate response regulator of the Cpx system, can lead to changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in inner and outer membrane functions. Activation of the Cpx system contributes to bacterial resistance/tolerance to certain antibiotics and acidic stress. In this review, we summarize the composition, and the mechanisms of signal detection, and the transcriptional regulation of the Cpx system, with a goal to provide guidance for the study of the regulatory network of the Cpx system and its important regulatory roles in bacterial physiology.
Cpx (conjugative pilus expression)双组分信号转导系统是革兰阴性细菌中一种复杂的包膜应激系统,能感应从不同信号传输点传入的多种包膜信号。位于胞质中的反应调节子CpxR磷酸化后能够调节众多编码内外膜上相关蛋白基因的表达。Cpx系统的激活还能调节细菌对抗生素和酸等压力的抵抗性。本文介绍了Cpx系统的组成,重点对Cpx系统的信号感应及调控机制进行综述,以期为Cpx系统的调控网络及其调节细菌重要生理过程的研究提供参考依据。.
Keywords: Cpx two-component system; acid stress; antibiotic resistance; envelope stress responses.