Open AccessOsmotic shock induction of capsule synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12
Author(s) -
Darren D. Sledjeski,
Susan Gottesman
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.178.4.1204-1206.1996
Subject(s) - biology , escherichia coli , osmotic shock , betaine , enterobacteriaceae , biochemistry , cold shock domain , lac operon , osmotic pressure , osmosis , osmotic concentration , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , rna , membrane
The genes (cps) involved in the synthesis of the colanic acid capsular polysaccharide in Escherichia coli K-12 are transcriptionally regulated by numerous proteins. Two of these, RcsB and RcsC, share homology with two-component regulatory elements that respond to environmental stimuli. Osmotic shock by sucrose or NaCl transiently increased transcription of a cpsB::lacZ fusion. RcsC and RcsB were essential for osmotic induction of colanic acid synthesis. In contrast to observations in some other osmotically regulated systems, addition of glycine betaine enhanced the osmotic induction of cps::lacZ by both sucrose and NaCl but had no effect alone.