Abstract
The alarmone (p)ppGpp is commonly used by bacteria to quickly respond to nutrient starvation. Although (p)ppGpp synthetases such as SpoT have been extensively studied, little is known about the molecular mechanisms stimulating alarmone synthesis upon starvation. Here, we describe an essential role of the nitrogen-related phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr) in controlling (p)ppGpp accumulation in Caulobacter crescentus. We show that cells sense nitrogen starvation by way of detecting glutamine deprivation using the first enzyme (EINtr) of PTSNtr. Decreasing intracellular glutamine concentration triggers phosphorylation of EINtr and its downstream components HPr and EIIANtr. Once phosphorylated, both HPr~P and EIIANtr~P stimulate (p)ppGpp accumulation by modulating SpoT activities. This burst of second messenger primarily impacts the non-replicative phase of the cell cycle by extending the G1 phase. This work highlights a new role for bacterial PTS systems in stimulating (p)ppGpp accumulation in response to metabolic cues and in controlling cell cycle progression and cell growth.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 11423 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 25 Apr 2016 |
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Morphology - Imaging
Cecchet, F. (Manager) & Renard, H.-F. (Manager)
Technological Platform Morphology - ImagingFacility/equipment: Technological Platform
Student theses
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Deciphering the PTSNtr regulatory functions in Caulobacter crescentus: a pathway controlling cell cycle according to nutrient availability
Petit, K. (Author)Hallez, R. (Supervisor), Letesson, J.-J. (President), De Bolle, X. (Jury), Goerke, B. (Jury) & Collier, J. (Jury), 29 May 2017Student thesis: Doc types › Doctor of Sciences
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Decoding the regulation of (p)ppGpp, a universal alarm one controlling cell cycle progression in Caulobacter crescentus
Ronneau, S. (Author)Hallez, R. (Supervisor), Matroule, J.-Y. (President), MICHIELS, J. (Jury), Jenal, U. (Jury) & Garcia-Pino, A. (Jury), 15 Dec 2016Student thesis: Doc types › Doctor of Sciences