Identification of an AraC-like regulator gene required for induction of the 78-kDa ferrioxamine B receptor in Vibrio vulnificus

We previously reported that the 78-kDa outer membrane receptor for ferrioxamine B is induced in iron-starved Vibrio vulnificus cells when desferrioxamine B was supplied exogenously. Based on its N-terminal amino acid sequence, a candidate gene for the ferrichrome B receptor was detected in the V. vulnificus CMCP6 genomic database. Here, two contiguous genes, named desR and desA, encoding a member of the AraC family of transcriptional activators and the ferrioxamine B receptor, respectively, were cloned from V. vulnificus M2799 and characterized. Primer extension analysis mapped the iron-regulated transcription initiation sites for desR and desA, and demonstrated involvement of desferrioxamine B in the induction of desA transcription. Insertion mutation of desR resulted in no production of DesA under iron-limiting conditions even in the presence of desferrioxamine B. The DesA production under the same conditions was restored to wild-type levels when the desR mutant was complemented with desR in trans. These results suggest that the desR gene is required for desferrioxamine B-inducible production of DesA in iron-starved cells.