Conversion of the sensor kinase DcuS ofEscherichia coliof the DcuB/DcuS sensor complex to the C4-dicarboxylate responsive form by the transporter DcuB

Summary The sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli co-operates under aerobic conditions with the C4-dicarboxylate transporter DctA to form the DctA/DcuS sensor complex. Under anaerobic conditions C4-dicarboxylate transport in fumarate respiration is catalyzed by C4-dicarboxylate/fumarate antiporter DcuB. (i) DcuB interacted with DcuS as demonstrated by a bacterial two-hybrid system (BACTH) and by co-chromatography of the solubilized membrane-proteins (mHPINE assay). (ii) In the DcuB/DcuS complex only DcuS served as the sensor since mutations in the substrate site of DcuS changed substrate specificity of sensing, and substrates maleate or 3-nitropropionate induced DcuS response without affec…