Research progress in OxyR-mediated regulation of oxidative stress in bacteria

Abstract:

OxyR, an oxidative stress regulator of the LysR family, is essential for bacteria to survive when confronting the threat of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). OxyR regulates the expression of multiple genes such as those encoding catalase and peroxidase to scavenge H₂O₂, participates in the iron metabolism to control the generation of peroxides, and repairs biomacromolecule damage. Functioning as a two-state redox switch depending on the formation of intracellular disulfide bond in the oxidizing and reducing environments, OxyR could recognize specific binding motif of target genes and activate/repress their expression. Here, we review the latest research progress in the OxyR-mediated regulation of gene expression in bacteria, which will help to further understand the role of OxyR in resisting oxidative stress and provide a molecular basis for preventing and controlling related pathogens.