Lanthanide-Dependent Regulation of Methanol Oxidation Systems in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 and Their Contribution to Methanol Growth

Vu, HN; Subuyuj, GA; Vijayakumar, S; Good, NM; Martinez-Gomez, NC; Skovran, E

HERO ID

4473552

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

Language

English

PMID

26833413

HERO ID 4473552
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Lanthanide-Dependent Regulation of Methanol Oxidation Systems in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 and Their Contribution to Methanol Growth
Authors Vu, HN; Subuyuj, GA; Vijayakumar, S; Good, NM; Martinez-Gomez, NC; Skovran, E
Journal Journal of Bacteriology
Volume 198
Issue 8
Page Numbers 1250-1259
Abstract <strong>UNLABELLED: </strong>Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 has two distinct types of methanol dehydrogenase (MeDH) enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. MxaFI-MeDH requires pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and Ca in its active site, while XoxF-MeDH requires PQQ and lanthanides, such as Ce and La. Using MeDH mutant strains to conduct growth analysis and MeDH activity assays, we demonstrate that M. extorquens AM1 has at least one additional lanthanide-dependent methanol oxidation system contributing to methanol growth. Additionally, the abilities of different lanthanides to support growth were tested and strongly suggest that both XoxF and the unknown methanol oxidation system are able to use La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and, to some extent, Sm. Further, growth analysis using increasing La concentrations showed that maximum growth rate and yield were achieved at and above 1 μM La, while concentrations as low as 2.5 nM allowed growth at a reduced rate. Contrary to published data, we show that addition of exogenous lanthanides results in differential expression from the xox1 and mxa promoters, upregulating genes in the xox1 operon and repressing genes in the mxa operon. Using transcriptional reporter fusions, intermediate expression from both the mxa and xox1 promoters was detected when 50 to 100 nM La was added to the growth medium, suggesting that a condition may exist under which M. extorquens AM1 is able to utilize both enzymes simultaneously. Together, these results suggest that M. extorquens AM1 actively senses and responds to lanthanide availability, preferentially utilizing the lanthanide-dependent MeDHs when possible.<br /><br /><strong>IMPORTANCE: </strong>The biological role of lanthanides is a nascent field of study with tremendous potential to impact many areas in biology. Our studies demonstrate that there is at least one additional lanthanide-dependent methanol oxidation system, distinct from the MxaFI and XoxF MeDHs, that may aid in classifying additional environmental organisms as methylotrophs. Further, our data suggest that M. extorquens AM1 has a mechanism to regulate which MeDH is transcribed, depending on the presence or absence of lanthanides. While the mechanism controlling differential regulation is not yet understood, further research into how methylotrophs obtain and use lanthanides will facilitate their cultivation in the laboratory and their use as a biomining and biorecycling strategy for recovery of these commercially valuable rare-earth elements.
Doi 10.1128/JB.00937-15
Pmid 26833413
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English