A regulatory hierarchy controls the dynamic transcriptional response to extreme oxidative stress in archaea

PLoS Genet. 2015 Jan 8;11(1):e1004912. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004912. eCollection 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Networks of interacting transcription factors are central to the regulation of cellular responses to abiotic stress. Although the architecture of many such networks has been mapped, their dynamic function remains unclear. Here we address this challenge in archaea, microorganisms possessing transcription factors that resemble those of both eukaryotes and bacteria. Using genome-wide DNA binding location analysis integrated with gene expression and cell physiological data, we demonstrate that a bacterial-type transcription factor (TF), called RosR, and five TFIIB proteins, homologs of eukaryotic TFs, combinatorially regulate over 100 target genes important for the response to extremely high levels of peroxide. These genes include 20 other transcription factors and oxidative damage repair genes. RosR promoter occupancy is surprisingly dynamic, with the pattern of target gene expression during the transition from rapid growth to stress correlating strongly with the pattern of dynamic binding. We conclude that a hierarchical regulatory network orchestrated by TFs of hybrid lineage enables dynamic response and survival under extreme stress in archaea. This raises questions regarding the evolutionary trajectory of gene networks in response to stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Archaea / genetics
  • Archaea / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Nucleotide Motifs / genetics
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics*
  • Transcription Factor TFIIB / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factor TFIIB

Grants and funding

This work was funded by: National Science Foundation, MCB-1052290 and MCB-1417750 to AKS; www.nsf.gov. National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship Program to PDT. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.