The vbs genes that direct synthesis of the siderophore vicibactin in Rhizobium leguminosarum: their expression in other genera requires ECF σ factor RpoI

R.A. Carter; P.S. Worsley; G. Sawers; G.L. Challis; M.J. Dilworth; K.C. Carson; J.A. Lawrence; M. Wexler; A.W.B. Johnston; K.H. Yeoman

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02951.x

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The vbs genes that direct synthesis of the siderophore vicibactin in Rhizobium leguminosarum: their expression in other genera requires ECF σ factor RpoI

Journal article

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The vbs genes that direct synthesis of the siderophore vicibactin in Rhizobium leguminosarum: their expression in other genera requires ECF σ factor RpoI

R.A. Carter, P.S. Worsley, G. Sawers, G.L. Challis, M.J. Dilworth, K.C. Carson, J.A. Lawrence, M. Wexler, A.W.B. Johnston and K.H. Yeoman

Molecular Microbiology, Vol.44(5), pp.1153-1166

2002

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02951.x

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Abstract

A cluster of eight genes, vbsGSO, vbsADL, vbsC and vbsP, are involved in the synthesis of vicibactin, a cyclic, trihydroxamate siderophore made by the symbiotic bacterium Rhizobium leguminosarum. None of these vbs genes was required for symbiotic N2 fixation on peas or Vicia. Transcription of vbsC, vbsGSO and vbsADL (but not vbsP) was enhanced by growth in low levels of Fe. Transcription of vbsGSO and vbsADL, but not vbsP or vbsC, required the closely linked gene rpoI, which encodes an ECF σ factor of RNA polymerase. Transfer of the cloned vbs genes, plus rpoI, to Rhodobacter, Paracoccus and Sinorhizobium conferred the ability to make vicibactin on these other genera. We present a biochemical genetic model of vicibactin synthesis, which accommodates the phenotypes of different vbs mutants and the homologies of the vbs gene products. In this model, VbsS, which is similar to many non-ribosomal peptide synthetase multienzymes, has a central role. It is proposed that VbsS activates L-N5-hydroxyornithine via covalent attachment as an acyl thioester to a peptidyl carrier protein domain. Subsequent VbsA-catalysed acylation of the hydroxyornithine, followed by VbsL-mediated epimerization and acetylation catalysed by VbsC, yields the vicibactin subunit, which is then trimerized and cyclized by the thioesterase domain of VbsS to give the completed siderophore.

Details

Title: The vbs genes that direct synthesis of the siderophore vicibactin in Rhizobium leguminosarum: their expression in other genera requires ECF σ factor RpoI
Authors/Creators: R.A. Carter (Author/Creator) - University of East Anglia
P.S. Worsley (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
G. Sawers (Author/Creator) - John Innes Centre
G.L. Challis (Author/Creator) - University of Warwick
M.J. Dilworth (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
K.C. Carson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
J.A. Lawrence (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
M. Wexler (Author/Creator) - University of East Anglia
A.W.B. Johnston (Author/Creator) - University of East Anglia
K.H. Yeoman (Author/Creator) - University of East Anglia
Publication Details: Molecular Microbiology, Vol.44(5), pp.1153-1166
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Identifiers: 991005543174107891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Rhizobium Studies
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.42 Bacteriology; 1.42.839 Outer Membrane
Web Of Science research areas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Microbiology
ESI research areas: Microbiology