Prokaryotic two-component systems and the OmpR/PhoB superfamily

In bacteria, two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) are the critical information-processing pathways that link stimuli to specific adaptive responses. Signals perceived by membrane sensors, which are generally histidine kinases (HKs), are transmitted by response regulators (RRs) to allow cells to cope rapidly and effectively with environmental challenges. Over the past few decades, genes encoding components of TCSs and their responsive proteins have been identified, crystal structures have been described, and signaling mechanisms have been elucidated. Here, we review recent findings and interesting breakthroughs in bacterial TCS research. Furthermore, we discuss structural features, mechanisms of activation/regulation, and cross-regulation of RRs with a focus on the largest RR family, OmpR/PhoB, to provide a comprehensive overview of these critically important signaling molecules.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author