Control of the alternative sigma factor sigmaE in Escherichia coli
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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 303 S. Frear Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ades@psu.edu
Abstract:
Signal transduction pathways that communicate information from the cell envelope to the cytoplasm of bacteria are crucial to maintain cell envelope homeostasis. In Escherichia coli, one of the key pathways that ensures the integrity of the cell envelope during stress and normal growth is controlled by the alternative sigma factor sigmaE. Recent studies have elucidated the signal transduction pathway that activates sigmaE in response to misfolded outer membrane porins. Unfolded porins trigger the degradation of the sigmaE-specific antisigma factor RseA by the sequential action of two inner membrane proteases, leading to release of sigmaE from RseA, and induction of the stress response. This mechanism of signal transduction, regulated intramembrane proteolysis, is used in transmembrane signaling pathways from bacteria to humans.
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