ppGpp is a dual-role regulator involved in balancing iron absorption and prodiginine biosynthesis in Pseudoalteromonas.

Abstract

Iron is an essential element for microbial survival and secondary metabolism. However, excess iron availability and overloaded secondary metabolites can hinder microbial growth and survival. Microorganisms must tightly control iron homeostasis and secondary metabolism. Our previous studies have found that the stringent starvation protein A (SspA) positively regulates prodiginine biosynthesis by activating iron uptake in Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain R3. It is believed that the interaction between SspA and the small nucleotide ppGpp is important for iron to exert regulation functions. However, the roles of ppGpp in iron absorption and prodiginine biosynthesis, and the underlying relationship between ppGpp and SspA in strain R3 remain unclear. In this study, we found that ppGpp accumulation in strain R3 could be induced by limiting iron. In addition, ppGpp not only positively regulated iron uptake and prodiginine biosynthesis via increasing the SspA level but also directly repressed iron uptake and prodiginine biosynthesis independent of SspA, highlighting the finding that ppGpp can stabilize both iron levels and prodiginine production. Notably, the abolishment of ppGpp significantly increased prodiginine production, thus providing a theoretical basis for manipulating prodiginine production in the future. This dynamic ppGpp-mediated interaction between iron uptake and prodiginine biosynthesis has significant implications for understanding the roles of nutrient uptake and secondary metabolism for the survival of bacteria in unfavorable environments.