A role for mechanosensitive channels in survival of stationary phase: Regulation of channel expression by RpoS

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  2. Dr Heath Murray
Author(s)Stokes NR, Murray HD, Subramaniam C, Gourse RL, Louis P, Bartlett W, Miller S, Booth IR
Publication type Article
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United states of America
Year2003
Volume100
Issue26
Pages15959-15964
ISSN (print)0027-8424
ISSN (electronic)1091-6490
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The mechanosensitive (MS) channels MscS and MscL are essential for the survival of hypoosmotic shock by Escherichia coli cells. We demonstrate that MscS and MscL are induced by osmotic stress and by entry into stationary phase. Reduced levels of MS proteins and reduced expression of mscL– and mscS–LacZ fusions in an rpoS mutant strain suggested that the RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing σS is responsible, at least in part, for regulating production of MS channel proteins. Consistent with the model that the effect of σS is direct, the MscS and MscL promoters both use RNA polymerase containing σS in vitro. Conversely, clpP or rssB mutations, which cause enhanced levels of σS, show increased MS channel protein synthesis. RpoS null mutants are sensitive to hypoosmotic shock upon entry into stationary phase. These data suggest that MscS and MscL are components of the RpoS regulon and play an important role in ensuring structural integrity in stationary phase bacteria.
PublisherNational Academy of Sciences
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2536607100
DOI10.1073/pnas.2536607100
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