细菌压力响应调控因子RpoS功能及多态性研究进展

Research progress in the functions and polymorphism of the bacterial stress response regulator RpoS

摘要:

通用压力响应(general stress response, GSR)是细菌为应对多种外界刺激而形成的一种全局性策略，能使细菌通过协调一系列生理和代谢变化来适应不断变化的环境。替代σ因子RpoS (σ^S)是细菌GSR的核心调节蛋白，对细菌应对胁迫环境至关重要。细菌中此类关键调控因子通常具有较高的保守性，但研究发现多种细菌的自然分离株和实验室诱导株中RNA聚合酶σ^S因子(RNA polymerase sigma factor S, rpoS)存在多态性现象。该现象反映了细菌在进化过程中形成的适应性权衡机制，使RpoS成为研究此机制的关键模型之一。本文综述了细菌RpoS的重要功能及其多态性特征，并结合RpoS功能初步探讨了其多态性形成的环境驱动因素。

Abstract:

The general stress response (GSR) is a global regulatory strategy developed by bacteria to adapt to diverse environmental stresses by coordinating a suite of physiological and metabolic changes, thereby enabling survival in fluctuating conditions. The alternative sigma factor RpoS (σ^S) serves as a central GSR regulator in bacteria and is crucial for bacterial responses to various stress conditions. Such regulators in bacteria are conserved, while polymorphic variations in rpoS are prevalent across numerous natural isolates and acclimated strains. This polymorphism reflects the adaptive trade-off mechanism formed by bacteria during the evolutionary process, positioning RpoS as a key model for investigating fitness trade-offs in bacteria. This review summarizes the functions and polymorphisms of RpoS and explores the potential environmental drivers underlying its polymorphism.