An acid-tolerance response system protecting exponentially growing Escherichia coli

Ying Xu, Zhe Zhao, Wenhua Tong, Yamei Ding, Bin Liu, Yixin Shi, Jichao Wang, Shenmei Sun, Min Liu, Yuhui Wang, Qingsheng Qi, Mo Xian () and Guang Zhao ()
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Ying Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhe Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenhua Tong: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yamei Ding: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bin Liu: Nankai University, TEDA
Yixin Shi: Arizona State University
Jichao Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shenmei Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Min Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuhui Wang: Nankai University, TEDA
Qingsheng Qi: Shandong University
Mo Xian: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guang Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The ability to grow at moderate acidic conditions (pH 4.0–5.0) is important to Escherichia coli colonization of the host’s intestine. Several regulatory systems are known to control acid resistance in E. coli, enabling the bacteria to survive under acidic conditions without growth. Here, we characterize an acid-tolerance response (ATR) system and its regulatory circuit, required for E. coli exponential growth at pH 4.2. A two-component system CpxRA directly senses acidification through protonation of CpxA periplasmic histidine residues, and upregulates the fabA and fabB genes, leading to increased production of unsaturated fatty acids. Changes in lipid composition decrease membrane fluidity, F0F1-ATPase activity, and improve intracellular pH homeostasis. The ATR system is important for E. coli survival in the mouse intestine and for production of higher level of 3-hydroxypropionate during fermentation. Furthermore, this ATR system appears to be conserved in other Gram-negative bacteria.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15350-5

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