A1 Journal article (refereed)
Leveraging the histidine kinase-phosphatase duality to sculpt two-component signaling (2024)

Meier, S. S. M., Multamäki, E., Ranzani, A. T., Takala, H., & Möglich, A. (2024). Leveraging the histidine kinase-phosphatase duality to sculpt two-component signaling. Nature Communications, 15, Article 4876. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49251-8

JYU authors or editors

Takala, Heikki

Publication details

All authors or editors: Meier, Stefanie S. M.; Multamäki, Elina; Ranzani, Américo T.; Takala, Heikki; Möglich, Andreas

Journal or series: Nature Communications

eISSN: 2041-1723

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 10/06/2024

Volume: 15

Article number: 4876

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49251-8

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95905

Abstract

Bacteria must constantly probe their environment for rapid adaptation, a crucial need most frequently served by two-component systems (TCS). As one component, sensor histidine kinases (SHK) control the phosphorylation of the second component, the response regulator (RR). Downstream responses hinge on RR phosphorylation and can be highly stringent, acute, and sensitive because SHKs commonly exert both kinase and phosphatase activity. With a bacteriophytochrome TCS as a paradigm, we here interrogate how this catalytic duality underlies signal responses. Derivative systems exhibit tenfold higher red-light sensitivity, owing to an altered kinase-phosphatase balance. Modifications of the linker intervening the SHK sensor and catalytic entities likewise tilt this balance and provide TCSs with inverted output that increases under red light. These TCSs expand synthetic biology and showcase how deliberate perturbations of the kinase-phosphatase duality unlock altered signal-response regimes. Arguably, these aspects equally pertain to the engineering and the natural evolution of TCSs.

Keywords: bacteria; cell signaling; phosphorylation; phytochromes; receptors (biochemistry); gene expression; photobiology