Dual role of CcpC protein in regulation of aconitase gene expression in Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus subtilis

Microbiology (Reading). 2013 Jan;159(Pt 1):68-76. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.063388-0. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Abstract

The role of the CcpC regulatory protein as a repressor of the genes encoding the tricarboxylic acid branch enzymes of the Krebs cycle (citrate synthase, citZ; aconitase, citB; and isocitrate dehydrogenase, citC) has been established for both Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, hyperexpression of citB-lacZ reporter constructs in an aconitase null mutant strain has been reported for B. subtilis. We show here that such hyperexpression of citB occurs in L. monocytogenes as well as in B. subtilis and that in both species the hyperexpression is unexpectedly dependent on CcpC. We propose a revision of the existing CcpC-citB regulatory scheme and suggest a mechanism of regulation in which CcpC represses citB expression at low citrate levels and activates citB expression when citrate levels are high.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aconitate Hydratase / biosynthesis*
  • Artificial Gene Fusion
  • Bacillus subtilis / enzymology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / genetics*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Listeria monocytogenes / enzymology*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta-Galactosidase / biosynthesis
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics

Substances

  • Repressor Proteins
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • Aconitate Hydratase