Open AccessRegulation of potassium dependent ATPase (kdp) operon of Deinococcus radiodurans
Author(s) -
Pratiksha Dani,
Aman Kumar Ujaoney,
Shree Kumar Apte,
Bhakti Basu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0188998
Subject(s) - operon , deinococcus radiodurans , biology , gene , plasmid , mutant , genetics , atpase , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , enzyme
The genome of D . radiodurans harbors genes for structural and regulatory proteins of Kdp ATPase, in an operon pattern, on Mega plasmid 1. Organization of its two-component regulatory genes is unique. Here we demonstrate that both, the structural as well as regulatory components of the kdp operon of D . radiodurans are expressed quickly as the cells experience potassium limitation but are not expressed upon increase in osmolarity. The cognate DNA binding response regulator (RR) effects the expression of kdp operon during potassium deficiency through specific interaction with the kdp promoter. Deletion of the gene encoding RR protein renders the mutant D . radiodurans (ΔRR) unable to express kdp operon under potassium limitation. The ΔRR D . radiodurans displays no growth defect when grown on rich media or when exposed to oxidative or heat stress but shows reduced growth following gamma irradiation. The study elucidates the functional and regulatory aspects of the novel kdp operon of this extremophile, for the first time.