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Title: Two TonB-dependent transporters in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b are responsible for uptake of different forms of methanobactin and are involved in the canonical ‘copper switch’

Journal Article · · Applied and Environmental Microbiology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01793-21· OSTI ID:1838664

Copper is an important component of methanotrophic physiology as it controls the expression and activity of alternative forms of methane monooxygenase (MMO). To collect copper, some methanotrophs secrete a chalkophore or copper-binding compound called methanobactin (MB). MB is a ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified polypeptide (RiPP) that, after binding copper, is collected by MbnT, a TonB-dependent transporter (TBDT). Structurally different forms of MB have been characterized, and here we show that different forms of MB are collected by specific TBDTs. Further, we report that in the model methanotroph, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, expression of the TBDT required for uptake of a different MB made by Methylocystis sp. strain SB2 (MB-SB2), is induced in the presence of MB-SB2, suggesting that methanotrophs have developed specific machinery and regulatory systems to actively take up MB from other methanotrophs for copper collection. Moreover, the canonical “copper-switch” in Ms. trichosporium OB3b that controls expression of alternative MMOs is apparent if one of the two TBDTs required for MB-OB3b and MB-SB2 uptake is knocked out, but is disrupted if both TBDTs are knocked out. Furthermore, these data indicate that MB uptake, including the uptake of exogenous MB, plays an important role in the copper switch in M. trichosporium OB3b and thus overall activity. Based on these data, we propose a revised model for the “copper-switch” in this methanotroph that involves MB uptake.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0020174; AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1838664
Journal Information:
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 88, Issue 1; ISSN 0099-2240
Publisher:
American Society for MicrobiologyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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