We noted a tendency in B. subtilis for non-T box regulated AARS (ArgRS, AsnRS, GltRS, LysRS, MetRS, and ProRS) to charge tRNAs with amino acids encoded in mixed codon boxes (ProRS being an exception, not being encoded by a mixed codon box). This observation, together with its possible origin being a T box element that is responsive to a different tRNA, prompted us to investigate whether the T box element controlling LysRS1 expression in B. cereus Selleckchem Autophagy inhibitor might also be induced by depletion of asparaginyl-tRNAAsn. Our results show that cellular depletion of AsnRS in B. subtilis results

in induction of the P lysK(T box) lacZ. We show that this induction is not caused by concomitant depletion of lysyl-tRNALys since induction occurs when cellular levels of charged tRNALys are high (Figure 2). Importantly, there is no direct link in the biosynthetic pathways of lysine and asparagine. Also, expression of P lysK(T box) see more lacZ does not occur when cells are depleted for phenylalanine, showing that induction displays the expected specificity for lysine

starvation. These data show that the T box element controlling expression of LysRS1 of B. cereus can be induced by an increased level of uncharged tRNALys and tRNAAsn. However such Temsirolimus mw promiscuity of induction is restricted to this lysK-associated T box element since T box element control of expression of AARSs within mixed codon boxes is frequently found [17] and induction of the T box-controlled pheS, ileS and trpS genes was not observed in response to starvation for the non-cognate amino acid of the mixed codon box. The induction promiscuity of the B. cereus LysRS1-associated T box element might derive from its having evolved from a T box element that responded to a different tRNA. Such promiscuity may be tolerated since LysRS1 in B. cereus appears to have an ancillary role during stationary phase, or it may even be advantageous in that it makes LysRS1 expression responsive to a broader range of adverse nutritional

conditions. Conclusions The T box regulatory element makes expression of AARS responsive to the uncharged level of their cognate tRNA and is widely used among bacteria. However significant variability exists in the frequency with which expression of individual AARSs is controlled by this mechanism Cytidine deaminase [15–17], this study. It is largely unknown why T box regulation of LysRS expression is found in only 4 bacterial species (B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, S. thermophilum and C. beijerinckii) while more than 140 instances of T box control of IleRS expression are documented. Moreover these four bacterial species with a T box regulated LysRS all have a second non-T box regulated LysRS. We report that two tRNALys-responsive T box elements exist: the first is found in the Bacillus and Clostridium species controlling expression of a class I LysRS1 in Bacillus but a class II LysRS2 in Clostridium; the second in S.