Insights into the metabolism, signaling, and physiological effects of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates in bacteria.

2',3'-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (2',3'-cNMPs) have been discovered within both prokaryotes and eukaryotes in the past decade and a half, raising questions about their conserved existence in cells. In plants and mammals, wounding has been found to cause increased levels of 2',3'-cNMPs. Roles for 2',3'-cNMPs in plant immunity suggest that their regulation may be valuable for both plant hosts and microbial pathogens.

An O-sensing diguanylate cyclase broadly affects the aerobic transcriptome in the phytopathogen .

is an important plant pathogen responsible for the destruction of crops through bacterial soft rot, which is modulated by oxygen (O) concentration. A soluble globin coupled sensor protein, DgcO (also referred to as GCS) is one way through which senses oxygen. DgcO contains a diguanylate cyclase output domain producing c-di-GMP.

Binding of 2',3'-Cyclic Nucleotide Monophosphates to Bacterial Ribosomes Inhibits Translation.

The intracellular small molecules 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (2',3'-cNMPs) have recently been rediscovered within both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Studies in bacteria have demonstrated that 2',3'-cNMP levels affect bacterial phenotypes, such as biofilm formation, motility, and growth, and modulate expression of numerous genes, suggesting that 2',3'-cNMP levels are monitored by cells. In this study, 2',3'-cNMP-linked affinity chromatography resins were used to identify proteins that bind 2',3'-cNMPs, with the top hits including all of the ribosomal proteins, and to confirm direct binding of purified ribosomes.

Cellular Effects of 2',3'-Cyclic Nucleotide Monophosphates in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Organismal adaptations to environmental stimuli are governed by intracellular signaling molecules such as nucleotide second messengers. Recent studies have identified functional roles for the noncanonical 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (2',3'-cNMPs) in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In Escherichia coli, 2',3'-cNMPs are produced by RNase I-catalyzed RNA degradation, and these cyclic nucleotides modulate biofilm formation through unknown mechanisms.