Chlorobaculum tepidum TLS displays a complex transcriptional response to sulfide addition

J Bacteriol. 2013 Jan;195(2):399-408. doi: 10.1128/JB.01342-12. Epub 2012 Nov 16.

Abstract

Chlorobaculum tepidum is a green sulfur bacterium (GSB) that is a model system for phototrophic sulfur oxidation. Despite over 2 decades of research, conspicuous gaps exist in our understanding of its electron donor metabolism and regulation. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to provide a global picture of the C. tepidum transcriptome during growth on thiosulfate as the sole electron donor and at time points following the addition of sulfide to such a culture. Following sulfide addition, 121 to 150 protein-coding genes displayed significant changes in expression depending upon the time point. These changes included a rapid decrease in expression of thiosulfate and elemental sulfur oxidation genes. Genes and gene loci with increased expression included CT1087, encoding a sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase required for growth in high sulfide concentrations; a polysulfide reductase-like complex operon, psrABC (CT0496 to CT0494); and, surprisingly, a large cluster of genes involved in iron acquisition. Finally, two genes that are conserved as a cassette in anaerobic bacteria and archaea, CT1276 and CT1277, displayed a strong increase in expression. The CT1277 gene product contains a DNA-binding domain, suggesting a role for it in sulfide-dependent gene expression changes.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Chlorobi / drug effects*
  • Chlorobi / genetics*
  • Chlorobi / growth & development
  • Chlorobi / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics
  • Sulfides / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transcriptome*

Substances

  • Sulfides