A branched pathway governing the activation of a developmental transcription factor by regulated intramembrane proteolysis

Mol Cell. 2006 Jul 7;23(1):25-35. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2006.05.019.

Abstract

The proteolytic activation of the membrane-associated transcription factor pro-sigma(K) is controlled by a signal transduction pathway during sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The pro-sigma(K) processing enzyme SpoIVFB, a membrane-embedded metalloprotease, is held inactive by two other integral-membrane proteins, SpoIVFA and BofA. We demonstrate that the signaling protease SpoIVB (IVB) triggers pro-sigma(K) processing by cleaving the extracellular domain of the SpoIVFA regulator at multiple sites. In vitro, these cleavages do not disrupt the interactions between SpoIVFA, SpoIVFB, and BofA, suggesting that IVB-dependent activation of the processing enzyme results from a conformational change in this complex. Our data further suggest that when IVB is unable to cleave SpoIVFA, it can still activate pro-sigma(K) processing through a second protease, CtpB. Finally, we demonstrate that CtpB, like IVB, triggers pro-sigma(K) processing by cleaving SpoIVFA. We propose that IVB regulates intramembrane proteolysis through two proteolytic pathways, both of which converge on the same regulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / cytology
  • Bacillus subtilis / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Sigma Factor / genetics
  • Sigma Factor / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Spores, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Sigma Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • pro-sigmaK protein, Bacillus subtilis
  • bofA protein, Bacillus subtilis
  • spoIVFA protein, Bacillus subtilis
  • Endopeptidases
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • spoIVFB protein, Bacillus subtilis