Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA; email:
Center for Structural Biology, Research Resources Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA; email:
Annu Rev Genet. 2017 Nov 27;51:311-333. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genet-120116-023507. Epub 2017 Sep 6.
Bacteria use diffusible chemical messengers, termed pheromones, to coordinate gene expression and behavior among cells in a community by a process known as quorum sensing. Pheromones of many gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus and Streptococcus, are small, linear peptides secreted from cells and subsequently detected by sensory receptors such as those belonging to the large family of RRNPP proteins. These proteins are cytoplasmic pheromone receptors sharing a structurally similar pheromone-binding domain that functions allosterically to regulate receptor activity. X-ray crystal structures of prototypical RRNPP members have provided atomic-level insights into their mechanism and regulation by pheromones. This review provides an overview of RRNPP prototype signaling; describes the structure-function of this protein family, which is spread widely among gram-positive bacteria; and suggests approaches to target RRNPP systems in order to manipulate beneficial and harmful bacterial behaviors.
细菌使用可扩散的化学信号分子，称为信息素，通过群体感应过程在群落中的细胞之间协调基因表达和行为。许多革兰氏阳性菌（如芽孢杆菌和链球菌）的信息素是从小型线性肽分泌的细胞，随后被感应受体检测，如属于 RRNPP 蛋白大家族的那些受体。这些蛋白是细胞质信息素受体，具有结构相似的信息素结合域，通过变构调节受体活性。原型 RRNPP 成员的 X 射线晶体结构提供了有关其机制和信息素调节的原子水平的见解。本综述概述了 RRNPP 原型信号转导；描述了该蛋白家族的结构-功能，该家族广泛分布于革兰氏阳性菌中；并提出了针对 RRNPP 系统的方法，以操纵有益和有害细菌的行为。
