Treponema denticola TroR is a manganese- and iron-dependent transcriptional repressor
2008
Treponema denticola TroR: A Metal-Dependent Repressor
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Brett Paul J, Burtnick Mary N, Fenno J Christopher, Gherardini Frank C
Primary Institution: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH
Hypothesis
TroRTd acts as a manganese- and iron-dependent transcriptional repressor in Treponema denticola.
Conclusion
TroRTd negatively regulates the tro operon in response to manganese and iron levels.
Supporting Evidence
- TroRTd was shown to repress transcription of both T. denticola and T. pallidum tro operons.
- TroRTd's repressor function was primarily responsive to manganese and iron.
- Mutations in the operator sequence significantly decreased repressor activity.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein in a bacteria called Treponema denticola helps control how the bacteria uses important metals like manganese and iron.
Methodology
The study used molecular genetic and biochemical approaches, including lacZ transcriptional fusion analyses in E. coli.
Limitations
The study was limited by the inability to obtain soluble TroRTd for further biochemical analysis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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