Two transmembrane transcriptional regulators coordinate to activate chitin-induced natural transformation in Vibrio cholerae

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011606
• Publication Date: 2025-02-18T18:39:59Z
• Authors: Allison C. Hullinger; Virginia E. Green; Catherine A. Klan...; Triana N. Dalia; Ankur B. Dalia
• Keywords: Genetics; QH426-470

Transcriptional regulators are a broad class of proteins that alter gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Transmembrane transcriptional (TTRs) subset bacteria can directly regulate while remaining anchored the membrane. Whether this constraint impacts ability TTRs bind their DNA targets remains unclear. Vibrio cholerae uses two TTRs, ChiS and TfoS, activate horizontal transfer by natural transformation chitin inducing tfoR promoter (P ). While TfoS was previously shown P directly, role activation Here, we show binds upstream interacts with TfoS. By independently disrupting ChiS-P ChiS-TfoS interactions, interactions play dominant activation. Correspondingly, absence ChiS, recruitment locus membrane is sufficient for when expressed at native levels. Finally, overexpression bypass need All together, these data suggest model whereby both (1) recruits (2) thereby recruiting it membrane-proximal promoter. This work furthers our understanding molecular mechanisms drive chitin-induced responses V. more broadly highlights how membrane-embedded localization impact activity.