| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1393717 | Chemistry & Biology | 2013 | 9 Pages |
SummaryThe ligands that interact with the vast majority of small-molecule binding transcription factors are unknown, a significant gap in our understanding of sensory perception by cells. TetR-family regulators (TFRs) are found in most prokaryotes and are involved in regulating virtually every aspect of prokaryotic life however only a few TFRs have been characterized. We report the application of phylogenomics to the identification of cognate ligands for TFRs. Using phylogenomics we identify a TFR, KijR, that responds to the antibiotic kijanimicin. We go on to show that KijR represses a gene, kijX, which confers resistance to kijanimicin. Finally we show that KijX inactivates kijanimicin by the hydrolytic removal of sugar residues. This is a demonstration of antibiotic resistance by deglycosylation.
Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (97 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Phylogenomics can be used to predict cognate ligands for TetR-family regulators ► KijR (SCO7719) regulates kijX (SCO7720) in response to the antibiotic kijanimicin ► kijX encodes a kijanimicin-resistance determinant ► KijX is a glycosyl hydrolase and inactivates kijanimicin through deglycosylation
