Regulation of fadR on the ROS defense mechanism in Shewanalla oneidensis

Protein FadR is known as a fatty acid metabolism global regulator that sustains cell envelope integrity by changing the profile of fatty acid. Here, we present its unique participation in the defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bacterium. FadR contributes to defending extracellular ROS by maintaining the permeability of the cell membrane. It also facilitates the ROS detoxification process by increasing the expression of ROS neutralizers (KatB, KatG, and AhpCF). FadR also represses the leakage of ROS by alleviating the respiratory action conducted by terminal cytochrome cbb3-type heme-copper oxidases (ccoNOQP). These findings suggest that FadR plays a comprehensive role in modulating the bacterial oxidative stress response, instead of merely strengthening the cellular barrier against the environment. This study sheds light on the complex mechanisms of bacterial ROS defense and offers FadR as a novel target for ROS control research.