Copper efflux is induced during anaerobic amino acid limitation in Escherichia coli to protect iron-sulfur cluster enzymes and biogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Adaptation to changing environments is essential to bacterial physiology. Here we report a unique role of the copper homeostasis system in adapting Escherichia coli to its host-relevant environment of anaerobiosis coupled with amino acid limitation. We found that expression of the copper/silver efflux pump CusCFBA was significantly upregulated during anaerobic amino acid limitation in E. coli without the supplement of exogenous copper. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of the total intracellular copper content combined with transcriptional assay of the P(cusC)-lacZ reporter in the presence of specific Cu(I) chelators indicated that anaerobic amino acid limitation led to the accumulation of free Cu(I) in the periplasmic space of E. coli, resulting in Cu(I) toxicity. Cell

SUBMITTER: Fung DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3807430 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature