GEMM-I riboswitches from Geobacter sense the bacterial second messenger cyclic AMP-GMP
Abstract
Bacteria are hidden forces of nature. For example, Geobacter bacteria play important roles in geochemistry by reducing metals in the environment. Scientists also are exploring the application of these bacteria toward toxic metal remediation and as “living batteries” that can generate electricity from biowaste. However, there is limited understanding of the signaling pathways that regulate this extracellular metal-reducing activity. Here we have discovered that Geobacter sulfurreducens use riboswitch sensors for a signaling molecule called cAG to regulate this process, which is an unexpected finding because cAG was previously associated only with pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, we have adapted the riboswitch to generate a fluorescent biosensor that can be used to visualize cAG signaling in live bacteria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1419328112
Entities
People
- Anthony T. Iavarone
- Colleen A. Kellenberger
- Hans K. Carlson
- Ming C Hammond
- Scott F. Hickey
- Stephen C. Wilson
- Tania L. Gonzalez
- Thomas F. Brewer
- Yichi Su
- Yu-fang Hsieh
- Zachary F. Hallberg
Organizations
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences
- Energy Biosciences Institute
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Office of the Director
- United States Department of Defense
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry