Investigation of the Role of a Zinc Uptake Regulator (Zur) in the Virulence of Pectobacterium odoriferum

Chen, Changlong; Cui, Shuang; Guan, Jiantao; Y, Su; Liang, Xuanqiang; Tian, Yu; Xie, Hua

doi:10.3390/ijms24129991

Cited by 2 publications

References 57 publications

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Cyanobacterial Zur: Zinc‐Sensing Transcriptional Regulators

Mikhaylina,

Scanlan,

Blindauer

2024

Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

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Zur (zinc uptake regulator) proteins are the most widespread bacterial zinc‐sensing transcriptional regulators, being encoded in the majority of sequenced bacterial genomes. They work predominantly as transcriptional repressors of zinc uptake genes when zinc in a bacterium's environment is abundant. Zinc scarcity in turn leads to de‐repression of these genes, which leads to increased zinc uptake. More recently, several Zur proteins have also been shown to work as activators of transcription, but the mechanism(s) for this type of regulation are not fully understood. Several 3D structures of Zur proteins are available, including those from the actinobacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Xanthomonas campestris , and the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH8102. The SynZur protein from the latter photosynthetic organism is the focus of this entry. In contrast to many other bacteria which harbor at least two zinc‐sensing regulators, SynZur is the sole zinc‐sensing transcription factor in this cyanobacterium. Like many other Zur proteins, it regulates the transcription of the znuABC genes, which encode ABC‐type zinc uptake systems located at the inner membrane. Uniquely, however, SynZur also activates transcription of a bacterial metallothionein ( bmtA ). The latter small cysteine‐rich proteins have a high capacity to bind up to four zinc ions and are normally regulated by repressors of the SmtB family, in response to zinc excess. The ability to upregulate production of a zinc storage protein upon encountering ‘luxury’ zinc appears to enable Synechococcus sp. WH8102 and related oligotrophic strains to populate ecological niches that are poor in inorganic nutrients but may experience episodic rises in zinc levels.

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Cyanobacterial Zur: Zinc‐Sensing Transcriptional Regulators

Mikhaylina,

Scanlan,

Blindauer

2024

Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

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Functional versatility of Zur in metal homeostasis, motility, biofilm formation, and stress resistance in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Gu,

Liu,

Mao

et al. 2024

Microbiol Spectr

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Zur (zinc uptake regulator) is a significant member of the Fur (ferric uptake regulator) superfamily, which is widely distributed in bacteria. Zur plays crucial roles in zinc homeostasis and influences cell development and environmental adaptation in various species. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-negative enteric that pathogen usually serves as a model organism in pathogenicity studies. The regulatory effects of Zur on the zinc transporter ZnuABC and the protein secretion system T6SS have been documented in Y. pseudotuberculosis . In this study, a comparative transcriptomics analysis between a ∆ zur mutant and the wild-type (WT) strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis was conducted using RNA-seq. This analysis revealed global regulation by Zur across multiple functional categories, including membrane transport, cell motility, and molecular and energy metabolism. Additionally, Zur mediates the homeostasis not only of zinc but also ferric and magnesium in vivo . There was a notable decrease in 35 flagellar biosynthesis and assembly-related genes, leading to reduced swimming motility in the ∆ zur mutant strain. Furthermore, Zur upregulated multiple simple sugar and oligopeptide transport system genes by directly binding to their promoters. The absence of Zur inhibited biofilm formation as well as reduced resistance to chloramphenicol and acidic stress. This study illustrates the comprehensive regulatory functions of Zur, emphasizing its importance in stress resistance and pathogenicity in Y. pseudotuberculosis . IMPORTANCE Bacteria encounter diverse stresses in the environment and possess essential regulators to modulate the expression of genes in responding to the stresses for better fitness and survival. Zur (zinc uptake regulator) plays a vital role in zinc homeostasis. Studies of Zur from multiple species reviewed that it influences cell development, stress resistance, and virulence of bacteria. Y. pseudotuberculosis is an enteric pathogen that serves a model organism in the study of pathogenicity, virulence factors, and mechanism of environmental adaptation. In this study, transcriptomics analysis of Zur’s regulons was conducted in Y. pseudotuberculosis . The functions of Zur as a global regulator in metal homeostasis, motility, nutrient acquisition, glycan metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism, in turn, increasing the biofilm formation, stress resistance, and virulence were reviewed. The importance of Zur in environmental adaptation and pathogenicity of Y. pseudotuberculosis was emphasized.

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Investigation of the Role of a Zinc Uptake Regulator (Zur) in the Virulence of Pectobacterium odoriferum

Cited by 2 publications

References 57 publications

Cyanobacterial Zur: Zinc‐Sensing Transcriptional Regulators

Cyanobacterial Zur: Zinc‐Sensing Transcriptional Regulators

Functional versatility of Zur in metal homeostasis, motility, biofilm formation, and stress resistance in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

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