Identifying small regulatory RNA responding to metal availability in Staphylococcus aureus HG001
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Staphylococcus aureus
PROVIDER: GSE296223 | GEO | 2026/09/23
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) serve as key drivers of bacterial adaptation to environmental fluctuations. They critically control the adaptive response of Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens to iron and manganese restriction imposed by the host. However, it is unknown if bacterial sRNAs enable adaptation to other metal-limited environments. This study examined the repertoire of sRNAs produced by S. aureus in response to metal limitation. This led to the identification of two sRNAs, S1077 and ZinS (RsaX20), which are regulated by zinc (Zn) availability. Further investigations revealed that, similar to the cnt operon from which it derives, S1077 synthesis is controlled by the transcription factors Zur and Fur. In contrast, zinS transcription is solely repressed by Zur. Amongst the ZinS targets are several Zn-dependent enzymes, such as the alcohol dehydrogenase Adh, whose synthesis is negatively regulated by ZinS. Loss of ZinS does not alter staphylococcal metal accumulation, suggesting that this sRNA controls a Zn-sparing response. Remarkably, zinS also encodes a small peptide, ZinP, which is produced in response to Zn limitation. Genomic analysis suggests that the regulatory portion of ZinS emerged from the 3’ untranslated region of ZinP in S. aureus and closely related species after horizontal transfer from phylogenetically distant organisms. All our findings demonstrate that sRNAs facilitate bacterial adaptation to Zn limitation, and that genetic exchange and subsequent neofunctionalization have enabled S. aureus to adapt to metal-restricted environments.
2026-09-23 | GSE296224 | GEO
Project description:Understanding bacterial gene regulation during human infection remains challenging, as most regulatory networks are inferred from in vitro models that poorly recapitulate host environments. Here, we present INTENSE (In-human Transcriptional Expression Networks in Site-specific Environments), a pangenome-based metatranscriptomic pipeline designed to profile Staphylococcus aureus transcription directly from human infection samples. Using a curated S. aureus pangenome and stringent decoy-based filtering, we analyzed RNA-seq data from chronic wound and cystic fibrosis sputum samples and uncovered infection-specific transcriptional signatures that clearly diverge from in vitro growth conditions. Small RNAs (sRNAs) emerged as major contributors to transcriptomic variability during chronic infection, with nine sRNAs consistently induced in human samples. Among these, we identify rsaX20 as a previously uncharacterized, zinc-responsive sRNA that also encodes a small peptide. Meta-analysis of over 2,000 publicly available S. aureus RNA-seq datasets revealed that rsaX20 is recurrently induced under low-zinc and host-associated stress conditions and displays co-regulation patterns with known metal-responsive sRNAs. Genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses demonstrate that rsaX20 is repressed by the zinc uptake regulator Zur, induced upon zinc limitation, and functions as a dual-purpose sRNA/sORF. Functional dissection revealed that the sRNA and peptide exert distinct and often opposing regulatory effects on protein expression, collectively targeting a network of metal-binding proteins. Notably, rsaX20-mediated repression of zinc-dependent enzymes supports a zinc-sparing adaptive response during infection. Together, these findings establish pangenome-based metatranscriptomics as a powerful approach to interrogate bacterial regulation in vivo and uncover rsaX20 as a key dual-function regulator shaping zinc homeostasis during chronic S. aureus infection
2026-07-20 | GSE319561 | GEO
Project description:The host protein calprotectin inhibits the growth of a variety of bacterial pathogens through metal sequestration in a process known as 'nutritional immunity'. Staphylococcus aureus growth is inhibited by calprotectin in vitro and calprotectin is localized in vivo to staphylococcal abscesses during infection. However, the staphylococcal adaptations that provide defense against nutritional immunity and the role of metal-responsive regulators are not fully characterized. In this work, we define the transcriptional response of S. aureus and the role of the metal-responsive regulators, Zur, Fur, and MntR, in response to metal limitation by calprotectin exposure. Additionally, we identified genes affecting the fitness of S. aureus during metal limitation through a Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) approach. Loss of function mutations in clpP, which encodes a proteolytic subunit of the ATP-dependent Clp protease, demonstrate reduced fitness of S. aureus to the presence of calprotectin. ClpP contributes to pathogenesis in vivo in a calprotectin-dependent manner. These studies establish a critical role for ClpP to combat metal limitation by calprotectin and reveal the genes required for S. aureus to outcompete the host for metals.
2024-05-14 | GSE265954 | GEO
Project description:The host protein calprotectin inhibits the growth of a variety of bacterial pathogens through metal sequestration in a process known as 'nutritional immunity'. Staphylococcus aureus growth is inhibited by calprotectin in vitro and calprotectin is localized in vivo to staphylococcal abscesses during infection. However, the staphylococcal adaptations that provide defense against nutritional immunity and the role of metal-responsive regulators are not fully characterized. In this work, we define the transcriptional response of S. aureus and the role of the metal-responsive regulators, Zur, Fur, and MntR, in response to metal limitation by calprotectin exposure. Additionally, we identified genes affecting the fitness of S. aureus during metal limitation through a Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) approach. Loss of function mutations in clpP, which encodes a proteolytic subunit of the ATP-dependent Clp protease, demonstrate reduced fitness of S. aureus to the presence of calprotectin. ClpP contributes to pathogenesis in vivo in a calprotectin-dependent manner. These studies establish a critical role for ClpP to combat metal limitation by calprotectin and reveal the genes required for S. aureus to outcompete the host for metals.
2024-05-14 | GSE266003 | GEO
Project description:Zinc can be limiting in many environments and bacteria have developed acclimation responses to counteract this deficiency. In most bacteria, the acclimation response to zinc limitation is controlled by Zur, a transcriptional regulator of the FUR family. Several proteins that take part in this response are present in the cytoplasm and the cell envelope. However, little is known about the involvement of proteins present in the extracellular space in the response to Zn limitation and whether the protein composition of this space might be also regulated by Zur. Therefore, in order to get an insight into these issues, a comparative analysis of the exoproteomes of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 (WT) and its Δzur derivative strain (referred as "MN" in the present dataset) was carried out using SWATH-MS analysis.
2024-02-15 | PXD036795 | Pride
Project description:Bacterial regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are commonly short non-coding RNAs that function as pleiotropic regulators by post-transcriptionally impacting mRNA stability and/or translation. They play significant roles in bacterial physiology and are typically expressed in response to specific environmental stimuli such as nutrient limitation. The bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus faces decreased access to essential metal ions, including iron, in the mammalian host in a process called nutritional immunity. In response to host-mediated iron limitation, S. aureus expresses the sRNA IsrR, which coordinates an iron-sparing response by downregulating the expression of mRNAs coding for iron-requiring proteins. Herein, we utilized MS2-Affinity Purification coupled with RNA Sequencing (MAPS) to reveal the in vivo IsrR interaction network. Analysis of co-purified RNAs revealed previously unpredicted putative IsrR targets coding for proteins associated with iron-requiring processes. We validated that IsrR directly interacts with eight of these targets in vitro. We demonstrate physiological roles for IsrR in mediating heme biosynthesis, aerobic respiration, and the metabolism of oxygen radicals. These activities are critical for pathogenesis, and this study establishes how S. aureus leverages these processes to adapt to iron scarcity, which is commonly encountered in the mammalian host.
2025-10-02 | GSE296222 | GEO
Project description:Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified. Experiment Overall Design: Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified.
2008-06-15 | E-GEOD-8035 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified Experiment Overall Design: Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified
2008-06-15 | E-GEOD-8088 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified Experiment Overall Design: Zinc is indispensable for the catalytic activity and structural stability of many proteins, and its deficiency can have severe consequences for microbial growth in natural and industrial environments. For example, Zn depletion in wort negatively affects beer fermentation and quality. Several studies have investigated yeast adaptation to low Zn supply, but were all performed in batch cultures, where specific growth rate depends on Zn availability. The transcriptional responses to growth-rate and Zn availability are then intertwined, which obscures result interpretation. In the present study, transcriptional responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Zn availability were investigated at a fixed specific growth rate under Zn limitation and excess in chemostat culture. To investigate the context-dependency of this transcriptional response, yeast was grown under several chemostat regimes resulting in various carbon (glucose), nitrogen (ammonium) and oxygen supplies. A robust set of genes that responded consistently to Zn limitation was identified and enabled the definition of a Zn-specific Zap1 regulon comprising of 26 genes and characterized by a broader ZRE consensus (MHHAACCBYNMRGGT) than so far described. Most surprising was the Zn-dependent regulation of genes involved in storage carbohydrate metabolism. Their concerted down-regulation was physiologically relevant as revealed by a substantial decrease in glycogen and trehalose cellular content under Zn limitation. An unexpectedly large amount of genes were synergistically or antagonistically regulated by oxygen and Zn availability. This combinatorial regulation suggested a more prominent involvement of Zn in mitochondrial biogenesis and function than hitherto identified
2008-06-15 | E-GEOD-8089 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:PBT2 is a zinc ionophore which demonstrates antibacterial activity as a standalone agent, and can be combined with conventional antibiotics to resensitise resistant pathogens to bactericidal killing. This study reports the impact of PBT2+Zn on on the transcriptome of S. aureus USA300-HO-MR, highlighting the global genetic changes in response to PBT2+Zn induced metal disruption, comprising Zn intoxication and Mn depletion.
2026-09-01 | GSE301640 | GEO