Periplasmic oxidized-protein repair during copper stress in E. coli: A focus on the metallochaperone CusF

PLoS Genet. 2022 Jul 11;18(7):e1010180. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010180. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Methionine residues are particularly sensitive to oxidation by reactive oxygen or chlorine species (ROS/RCS), leading to the appearance of methionine sulfoxide in proteins. This post-translational oxidation can be reversed by omnipresent protein repair pathways involving methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr). In the periplasm of Escherichia coli, the enzymatic system MsrPQ, whose expression is triggered by the RCS, controls the redox status of methionine residues. Here we report that MsrPQ synthesis is also induced by copper stress via the CusSR two-component system, and that MsrPQ plays a role in copper homeostasis by maintaining the activity of the copper efflux pump, CusCFBA. Genetic and biochemical evidence suggest the metallochaperone CusF is the substrate of MsrPQ and our study reveals that CusF methionines are redox sensitive and can be restored by MsrPQ. Thus, the evolution of a CusSR-dependent synthesis of MsrPQ allows conservation of copper homeostasis under aerobic conditions by maintenance of the reduced state of Met residues in copper-trafficking proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Copper / metabolism
  • Copper Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins* / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli* / metabolism
  • Metallochaperones / genetics
  • Metallochaperones / metabolism
  • Methionine / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Periplasm / metabolism

Substances

  • Copper Transport Proteins
  • CusF protein, E coli
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Metallochaperones
  • Copper
  • Methionine

Grants and funding

BE was supported by Agence Nationale Recherche (ANR) (#ANR-16-CE11-0012-02 METOXIC), (#ANR-21-CE44-0024 MetCop) and Centre National Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (#PICS-PROTOX). CH was supported by Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM). GG was supported by Aix-Marseille Université (AMidex-Post-doc). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.