Comparative analysis of hmuO function and expression in Corynebacterium species

J Bacteriol. 2007 May;189(9):3650-4. doi: 10.1128/JB.00056-07. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Abstract

We have constructed defined deletions in the hmuO gene from Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans and show that the C. ulcerans hmuO mutation results in a significant reduction in hemoglobin-iron utilization, whereas in C. diphtheriae strains, deletion of hmuO caused no or only partial reduction in the utilization of heme as an iron source. We also show that expression from the C. ulcerans hmuO promoter exhibits minimal regulation by iron and heme whereas transcription from the C. diphtheriae hmuO promoter shows both significant iron repression and heme-dependent activation. These findings indicate that variability in HmuO function and expression exists among Corynebacterium species.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Corynebacterium / genetics
  • Corynebacterium / physiology*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / genetics
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / physiology
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Heme / metabolism*
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / biosynthesis*
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / genetics
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / physiology*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Heme
  • Iron
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
  • HmuO protein, bacteria

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EF186829