Interfering with different steps of protein synthesis explored by transcriptional profiling of Escherichia coli k-12

Escherichia coli responses to four inhibitors that interfere with translation were monitored at the transcriptional level. A DNA microarray method provided a comprehensive view of changes in mRNA levels after exposure to these agents. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis served to verify observations made with microarrays, and a chromosomal grpE::lux operon fusion was employed to specifically monitor the heat shock response. 4-Azaleucine, a competitive inhibitor of leucyl-tRNA synthetase, surprisingly triggered the heat shock response. Administration of mupirocin, an inhibitor of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase activity, resulted in changes reminiscent of the stringent response. Treatment with kasugamycin and puromycin (targeting ribosomal subunit association as well as its peptidyl-transferase activity) caused accumulation of mRNAs from ribosomal protein operons. Abundant biosynthetic transcripts were often significantly diminished after treatment with any of these agents. Exposure of a relA strain to mupirocin resulted in accumulation of ribosomal protein operon transcripts. However, the relA strain's response to the other inhibitors was quite similar to that of the wild-type strain.