The genome-scale DNA-binding profile of BarR

The Leucine-responsive Regulatory Protein (Lrp) family is a widespread family of regulatory transcription factors in prokaryotes. BarR is an Lrp-like transcription factor in the model archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius that activates the expression of a ß-alanine aminotransferase gene, which is involved in ß-alanine degradation. In contrast to classical Lrp-like transcription factors, BarR is not responsive to any of the a-amino acids but interacts specifically with ß-alanine. Besides the juxtaposed ß-alanine aminotransferase gene, other regulatory targets of BarR have not yet been identified although ß-alanine is the precursor of coenzyme A and thus an important central metabolite. The aim of this study is to extend the knowledge of the DNA-binding characteristics of BarR and of its corresponding regulon from a local to a genome-wide perspective.