2022
An RNA-binding protein acts as a major post-transcriptional modulator in Bacillus anthracis
Pi H, Weiss A, Laut C, Grunenwald C, Lin H, Yi X, Stauff D, Skaar E. An RNA-binding protein acts as a major post-transcriptional modulator in Bacillus anthracis. Nature Communications 2022, 13: 1491. PMID: 35314695, PMCID: PMC8938561, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29209-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBacillus anthracisBacterial ProteinsCell WallGene Expression Regulation, BacterialHumansRNA-Binding ProteinsConceptsHuman pathogen Bacillus anthracisRNA-binding proteinPost-transcriptional modulatorsPathogen Bacillus anthracisDetectable nuclease activityTwo-component systemBacillus anthracisGenetic competenceRNA turnoverDNA repairMRNA stabilityCellular metabolismNuclease activityEnvelope damageRNAProteinMultiple processesAnthracisHITRSporulationGenesMRNAExpressionMetabolismTurnover
2021
DnaJ and ClpX Are Required for HitRS and HssRS Two-Component System Signaling in Bacillus anthracis
Laut C, Leasure C, Pi H, Carlin S, Chu M, Hillebrand G, Lin H, Yi X, Stauff D, Skaar E. DnaJ and ClpX Are Required for HitRS and HssRS Two-Component System Signaling in Bacillus anthracis. Infection And Immunity 2021, 90: e00560-21. PMID: 34748369, PMCID: PMC8788696, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00560-21.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTwo-component systemGene expressionSubstrate-binding subunitSignal transduction activityTarget gene expressionB. anthracisBacillus anthracisGram-positive bacteriumHost-induced stressesClpXP proteaseProtein chaperonesSignal transductionClpXGene productsTransduction activityDnaJVertebrate hostsHeme levelsHomeostasis regulatorGenetic selectionHigh heme levelsCell envelope disruptionBioterror weaponHssRSAnthracis
2020
Directed evolution reveals the mechanism of HitRS signaling transduction in Bacillus anthracis
Pi H, Chu M, Ivan S, Latario C, Toth A, Carlin S, Hillebrand G, Lin H, Reppart J, Stauff D, Skaar E. Directed evolution reveals the mechanism of HitRS signaling transduction in Bacillus anthracis. PLOS Pathogens 2020, 16: e1009148. PMID: 33362282, PMCID: PMC7790381, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009148.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBacillus anthracisBacterial ProteinsGene Expression Regulation, BacterialSelection, GeneticSignal TransductionStress, PhysiologicalConceptsHAMP domainSignal transductionGenetic selectionUnbiased genetic selectionCell envelope stressPathogen Bacillus anthracisSignal transduction systemImportant signal transduction systemMechanistic understandingBacillus anthracisComprehensive mechanistic understandingNumerous point mutationsEnvelope stressTransduction systemMolecular basisMutational analysisPoint mutationsTransductionRate-limiting stepIndividual domainsSpecific interactionsSignal sensingHITRAnthracisSystematic characterization