MINIREVIEW / MINI-SYNTHÈSE Regulation in the rpoS regulon of Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, the transcription factor σS, encoded by rpoS, controls the expression of a large number of genes involved in cellular responses to a diverse number of stresses, including starvation, osmotic stress, acid shock, cold shock, heat shock, oxidative DNA damage, and transition to stationary phase. A list of over 50 genes under the control of rpoS has been compiled. The transcription factor σS acts predominantly as a positive effector, but it does have a negative effect on some genes. The synthesis and accumulation of σS are controlled by mechanisms affecting transcription, translation, proteolysis, and the formation of the holoenzyme complex. Transcriptional control of rpoS involves guanosine 3′,5′-bispyrophosphate (ppGpp) and polyphosphate as positive regulators and the cAMP receptor protein – cAMP complex (CRP–cAMP) as a negative regulator. Translation of rpoS mRNA is controlled by a cascade of interacting factors, including Hfq, H-NS, dsrA RNA, LeuO, and oxyS RNA that seem to modulate the stability of a region of secondary structure in the ribosome-binding region of the gene’s mRNA. The transcription factor σS is sensitive to proteolysis by ClpPX in a reaction that is promoted by RssB and inhibited by the chaperone DnaK. Despite the demonstrated involvement of so many factors, arguments have been presented suggesting that sensitivity to proteolysis may be the single most important modulator of σS levels. The activity of σS may also be modulated by trehalose and glutamate, which activate holoenzyme formation and promote holoenzyme binding to certain promoters.