College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2020 Sep 17;86(19). doi: 10.1128/AEM.01036-20.
Proteins are a main organic nitrogen source for microorganisms. Many heterotrophic microorganisms secrete extracellular proteases (ex-proteases) to efficiently decompose proteins into oligopeptides and amino acids when exterior proteins are required for growth. These ex-proteases not only play important roles in microbial nutrient acquisition or host infection but also contribute greatly to the global recycling of carbon and nitrogen. Moreover, may microbial ex-proteases have important applications in industrial, medical, and biotechnological areas. Therefore, uncovering the mechanisms by which microorganisms initiate the expression of ex-protease genes in response to exterior proteins is of great significance. In this review, the progress made in understanding the induction mechanisms of microbial ex-proteases in response to exterior proteins is summarized, with a focus on the inducer molecules, membrane sensors, and downstream pathways. Problems to be solved for better understanding of the induction mechanisms of microbial ex-proteases are also discussed.
蛋白质是微生物的主要有机氮源。当需要外源蛋白用于生长时，许多异养微生物会分泌细胞外蛋白酶（ex-proteases），将蛋白质高效分解为寡肽和氨基酸。这些 ex-proteases 不仅在微生物营养获取或宿主感染中发挥重要作用，而且对全球碳氮循环贡献巨大。此外，许多微生物 ex-proteases 在工业、医学和生物技术领域具有重要应用。因此，揭示微生物如何在外源蛋白的刺激下启动 ex-protease 基因表达的机制具有重要意义。本文综述了微生物对外源蛋白诱导 ex-protease 表达机制的研究进展，重点讨论了诱导分子、膜传感器和下游途径。同时还讨论了为更好地理解微生物 ex-protease 诱导机制需要解决的问题。
