Role of the mar-sox-rob regulon in regulating outer membrane porin expression

J Bacteriol. 2011 May;193(9):2252-60. doi: 10.1128/JB.01382-10. Epub 2011 Mar 11.

Abstract

Multiple factors control the expression of the outer membrane porins OmpF and OmpC in Escherichia coli. In this work, we investigated the role of the mar-sox-rob regulon in regulating outer membrane porin expression in response to salicylate. We provide both genetic and physiological evidence that MarA and Rob can independently activate micF transcription in response to salicylate, leading to reduced OmpF expression. MarA was also found to repress OmpF expression through a MicF-independent pathway. In the case of OmpC, we found that its transcription was moderately increased in response to salicylate. However, this increase was independent of MarA and Rob. Finally, we found that the reduction in OmpF expression in a tolC mutant is due primarily to Rob. Collectively, this work further clarifies the coordinated role of MarA and Rob in regulating the expression of the outer membrane porins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology
  • Porins / genetics
  • Porins / metabolism*
  • Regulon / physiology*
  • SOX Transcription Factors / genetics
  • SOX Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Salicylates
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • MarA protein, E coli
  • OmpC protein
  • OmpF protein
  • Porins
  • Rob protein, E coli
  • SOX Transcription Factors
  • Salicylates