Abstract
We found that loss of integrity of the ribosome by removal of a putative ribosome maturation factor or a ribosomal protein conferred salt tolerance on Escherichia coli cells. Some protein synthesis inhibitors including kasugamycin and chloramphenicol also had a similar effect, although kasugamycin affected neither 16S rRNA maturation nor subunit association into a 70S ribosome. Thus, salt tolerance is a common feature of cells in which maturation or function of the ribosome is impaired. In these cells, premature induction of an alternative sigma factor, σ(E), by salt stress was observed. These results suggest the existence of a yet-unknown stress response pathway mediated by the bacterial ribosome.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aminoglycosides / pharmacology
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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DNA / biosynthesis
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DNA Replication / drug effects
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Escherichia coli / genetics*
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Escherichia coli / metabolism*
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Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects
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Mutation
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RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
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RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / metabolism
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Ribosomes / metabolism*
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Salt Tolerance / genetics*
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Sigma Factor / metabolism
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Stress, Physiological / genetics
Substances
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Aminoglycosides
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Escherichia coli Proteins
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RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
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Sigma Factor
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sporulation-specific sigma factors
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DNA
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kasugamycin
Grants and funding
This work was supported by grants-in-aid for scientific research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to A.M. and H.H. (Nos. 23380054 and 24658066) and a Grant for Hirosaki University Institutional Research to H.H. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.