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- Title
Back to log phase: δ<sup>S</sup> as a global regulator in the osmotic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli.
- Authors
Hengge-Aronis, Regine
- Abstract
It is now well established that the σs subunit of RNA polymerase is a master regulator in a complex regulatory network that governs the expression of many stationary-phase-inducible genes in <em>Escherichia coli</em>. In this review, more recent findings will be summarized that demonstrate that σs also acts as a global regulator for the osmotic control of gene expression, and actually does so in exponentially growing cells. Thus, many σs-dependent genes are induced during entry into stationary phase as well as in response to osmotic upshift. K+ glutamate, which accumulates in hyperosmotically stressed cells, seems to specifically stimulate the activity of σs-containing RNA polymerase at σs-dependent promoters. Moreover, osmotic upshift results in an elevated cellular σs level similar to that observed in stationary-phase cells. This increase is the result of a stimulation of <em>rpoS</em> translation as well as an inhibition of the turnover of σs, which in exponentially growing non-stressed cells is a highly unstable protein. Whereas the RNA-binding protein HF-I, previously known as a host factor for the replication of phage Qβ RNA, is essential for <em>rpoS</em> translation, the recently discovered response regulator RssB, and CIpXP protease, have been shown to be required for σs degradation. The finding that the histone-like protein H-NS is also involved in the control of <em>rpoS</em> translation and σs turnover, sheds new light on the function of this protein in osmoregulation. Finally, preliminary evidence suggests that additional stresses, such as heat shock and acid shock, also result in increased cellular σs levels in exponentially growing cells. Taken together, σs function is clearly not confined to stationary phase. Rather, σs may be regarded as a sigma factor associated with general stress conditions.
- Publication
Molecular Microbiology, 1996, Vol 21, Issue 5, p887
- ISSN
0950-382X
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2958.1996.511405.x