Open AccessRscA, a Member of the MDR1 Family of Transporters, Is Repressed by CovR and Required for Growth of Streptococcus pyogenes under Heat Stress
Author(s) -
Tracy Dalton,
Julie T. Collins,
Timothy C. Barnett,
June R. Scott
Publication year - 2006
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.188.1.77-85.2006
Subject(s) - regulon , streptococcus pyogenes , biology , operon , repressor , psychological repression , transcription (linguistics) , two component regulatory system , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , sigma factor , response regulator , transcription factor , pathogen , promoter , gene expression , bacteria , mutant , linguistics , philosophy , staphylococcus aureus
The ability ofStreptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) to respond to changes in environmental conditions is essential for this gram-positive organism to successfully cause disease in its human host. The two-component system CovRS controls expression of about 15% of the GAS genome either directly or indirectly. In most operons studied, CovR acts as a repressor. We previously linked CovRS to the GAS stress response by showing that the sensor kinase CovS is required to inactivate the response regulator CovR so that GAS can grow under conditions of heat, acid, and salt stress. Here, we sought to identify CovR-repressed genes that are required for growth under stress. To do this, global transcription profiles were analyzed by microarrays following exposure to increased temperature (40°C) and decreased pH (pH 6.0). The CovR regulon in an M type 6 strain of GAS was also examined by global transcriptional analysis. We identified a gene,rscA (r egulated bys tress andC ov), whose transcription was confirmed to be repressed by CovR and activated by heat and acid. RscA is a member of the MDR1 family of ABC transporters, and we found that it is required for growth of GAS at 40°C but not at pH 6.0. Thus, for GAS to grow at 40°C, CovR repression must be alleviated so thatrscA can be transcribed to allow the production of this potential exporter. Possible explanations for the thermoprotective role of RscA in this pathogen are discussed.