Participation of UV-regulated Genes in the Response to Helix-distorting DNA Damage in the Thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Several species of Sulfolobales have been used as model organisms in the study of response mechanisms to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in hyperthermophilic crenarchaea. To date, the transcriptional responses of genes involved in the initiation of DNA replication, transcriptional regulation, protein phosphorylation, and hypothetical function have been observed in Sulfolobales species after UV irradiation. However, due to the absence of knockout experiments, the functions of these genes under in situ UV irradiation have not yet been demonstrated. In the present study, we constructed five gene knockout strains (cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, and two genes encoding the hypothetical proteins, Saci_0951 and Saci_1302) of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and examined their sensitivities to UV irradiation. The knockout strains exhibited significant sensitivities to UV-B irradiation, indicating that the five UV-regulated genes play an important role in responses to UV irradiation in vivo. Furthermore, Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and Δtfb3 were sensitive to a wide variety of helix-distorting DNA lesions, including UV-induced DNA damage, an intra-strand crosslink, and bulky adducts. These results reveal that cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, and Saci_0951 are play more important roles in broad responses to helix-distorting DNA damage than in specific responses to UV irradiation.

Members of the order Sulfolobales belonging to the class Crenarchaeota are distributed in hot acidic terrestrial environments (39 and references therein). Seven genera belonging to the order Sulfolobales have been described with validly published names: Sulfolobus (6), Acidianus (44), Metallosphaera (23), Stygiolobus (45), Sulfurisphaera (26,50), Sulfodiicoccus (38), and Saccharolobus (39). Sulfolobus solfataricus, which has been intensively investigated in biochemical and genetic studies, has been reclassified as Saccharolobus solfataricus (39). Most members of the order Sulfolobales are aerobic and acidophilic (hyper-)thermophiles (46). They have the ability to adapt to various conditions and damage, such as hydrolytic reactions, aerobic conditions, and acidic conditions (14,29,57). Unlike hyperthermophilic archaea living in deep-sea hydrothermal vents (47), members of the order Sulfolobales are exposed to UV irradiation (14). Despite these extreme conditions, members of the order Sulfolobales are often dominant in acidic geothermal areas worldwide (31,55), suggesting the presence of efficient mechanisms of adaptation to harsh conditions. Therefore, studies that provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this adaptation are crucial for understanding the survival of Sulfolobales in these extreme habitats.
In contrast to thermal and oxidative stresses, UV irradiation generally produces photoproducts (i.e., cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers [CPDs] and  photoproducts) as helix-distorting DNA lesions, and unrepaired photoproducts become the source of mutations (36,57). Moreover, a double-stranded DNA break (DSB) is formed as a result of the collision between the replication fork and unrepaired CPD (11), which causes mortal damage. An integrated model of UV-specific reactions in Sulfolobus and Saccharolobus was reported by Fröls et al. (12). In brief, this model involves the following: i) CPDs are removed from genomic DNA by DNA photolyase and an unidentified repair pathway (12,18); ii) as a possible secondary effect, DNA lesions (i.e., DSBs) cause cell cycle arrest and repress the initiation of replication until repair may be completed; and iii) Ups pili are induced and mediate the aggregation of cells, enhancing the chance of DNA repair through homologous recombination by the crenarchaeal system for the exchange of DNA (Ced system) (58,59). Thus far, a more detailed process has been described (12), the effects of DNA damage on cell cycle progression (DNA content distribution) in Sulfolobales species has been reported (11,14,20), and genetic analyses of DNA repair involved in UV damage in hyperthermophilic archaea have been presented and reviewed (13,18,57,62). However, numerous new questions have been raised.
Two previous DNA microarray analyses revealed a transcriptional response to UV irradiation in two species of the order Sulfolobales, namely, S. solfataricus and S. acidocaldarius (11,14), simultaneously raising further questions. These studies reported that DNA repair proteins were not induced. However, clear transcriptional responses were observed with the down-regulation of the DNA replication machinery, changes in transcriptional regulatory proteins, and the up-regulation of protein kinase and conserved hypothetical proteins in the Sulfolobales species. Among these genes, we herein focused on cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, Saci_0951, and Saci_1302. These genes, except for rio1, are regulated under UV irradiation with a conserved UV-regulated promoter hexanucleotide motif (5ʹ-ANTTTC-3ʹ) (28). The cdc6-2 gene encodes a protein that may act as a repressor of replication initiation, whereas Cdc6-1 and Cdc6-3 act in a positive manner (37). UV irradiation affects the balance between the repressor and enhancers, and the dominance of the repressor Cdc6-2 under UV irradiation may be required to repress the initiation of a new round of DNA replication, thereby allowing sufficient time for DNA repair (14). S. acidocaldarius encodes three homologues of the tfb (transcription factor 2B) gene (7,14). The tfb3 gene is one of most highly up-regulated transcripts in response to UV irradiation in S. acidocaldarius (14) and is considered to be required to modulate transcription from general promoters (14,33). The rio1 gene encodes Ser-/Thr-RIO protein kinase-1 and is induced in S. solfataricus and S. acidocaldarius after UV irradiation (14), whereas the biological targets of RIO kinase remain unknown. Two genes encoding the hypothetical proteins Saci_0951 and Saci_1302 (found only in Sulfolobales) are strongly induced in S. acidocaldarius following UV irradiation (14). These UV-regulated genes participate in responses to UV irradiation. However, there is currently no evidence to show the participation of these regulated genes in the responses of the hyperthermophilic archaea Sulfolobales species to UV irradiation in vivo.
The use of gene knockout in genetic studies is a powerful analytical method for answering questions arising from previous studies (11,14). To date, the gene knockout approach has been employed in four species of Sulfolobales: S. acidocaldarius (40,49,50,53,54), S. solfataricus (2), S. islandicus (8,34,(61)(62)(63)(64), and Metallosphaera sedula (30). We recently constructed the DNA photolyase and restriction endonuclease SuaI-deficient S. acidocaldarius strain DP-1 (ΔpyrE ΔsuaI Δphr) as a host strain for use in a genetic study (50). To understand the in situ functions of proteins encoded in cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, Saci_0951, and Saci_1302, we constructed respective gene knockout strains of S. acidocaldarius using the PCR tailing method previously reported (40). The PCR tailing method is a knockout technique in which the target gene is replaced with a selectable marker gene through double-crossover events. The characteristics of the knockout strains after UV-B irradiation (i.e., growth property, survival, and repair of CPDs) were examined. UV-regulated genes were found to be required for responses not only to UV-induced DNA lesions, but also to other types of DNA damage. We then discussed the sensitivities of the knockout strains to other helix-distorting DNA lesions (i.e., an intra-strand crosslink and bulky adducts) and characterized the mutant phenotypes.

Strains and growth conditions
The strains used in the present study are listed in Table S1. The S. acidocaldarius pyrimidine auxotrophic, restriction endonuclease SuaI and DNA photolyase (Phr)-deficient strain DP-1 (ΔpyrE ΔsuaI Δphr) were constructed from the strain SK-1 (ΔpyrE ΔsuaI) using pop-out recombination (50). DP-1 was then used as the host and parent strain in the present study. DP-1 and its derivatives were cultivated in xylose and tryptone (XT) medium (pH 3) at 75°C with or without shaking at 160 rpm, as previously described (35). To grow the pyrimidine auxotrophic strain, 0.02 g L -1 of uracil was added to XT medium (XTU). Solid plate medium was prepared as previously described (50).

General DNA manipulation
General DNA manipulation was conducted as previously described (50).

Construction of gene knockout strains
Gene knockout strains of S. acidocaldarius were constructed through the electrotransformation of knockout cassettes, which were prepared via one-step construction (PCR tailing) followed by the isolation of transformants.
The preparation of a competent cell and the transformation procedure for gene knockout have already been described (50). Gene knockout was conducted using an optimized transformation protocol (50).
X-gal staining was performed by spotting 1 μL of X-gal solution (10 mg mL -1 of 0.85% NaCl 2 ) onto colonies and incubating at 75°C for 1 d. In contrast to the non-transformants (wild-type S. acidocaldarius), the transformants (lacS + ) converted the chemical into a strong blue substance (5).

Growth curve after UV irradiation
One milliliter of each overnight culture of the parent strain DP-1, Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 (late-log to stationary phase) was poured into 90×15 mm plastic Petri dishes (AGC TECHNO GLASS, Yoshida-cho, Shizuoka, Japan) and then exposed to UV-B irradiation using a UV lamp (UVM-57, 302 nm, 6 W; Analytik Jena AG, Jena, Germany) positioned 6.5 cm above the top of the dish at room temperature for 0, 20, 40, and 60 s (yield: 0, 400, 800, and 1,200 J m -2 , respectively). An irradiated sample was collected after every 20 s of irradiation and inoculated into three test tubes containing 6 mL of XT or XTU liquid medium to yield an initial OD 600 =0.005 (triplicates). Cells were subsequently cultivated at 75°C with shaking at 160 rpm. Thereafter, cell growth was monitored by measuring OD 600 .

Growth curve in the presence of DNA-damaging agents and antibiotics
The chemicals used in the present study are listed in Table 1. Each overnight culture of the knockout strains (late-log to stationary phase) was inoculated into 6 mL of XT or XTU liquid medium

Analysis of DNA repair properties of CPDs
A method for the analysis of the repair properties of CPDs was previously reported by Salerno et al. (43). Each S. acidocaldarius strain of the culture of the parent strain, Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302, was irradiated with UV light (1,200 J m -2 ) or with a mock treatment (i.e., without UV irradiation). After UV irradiation, these strains were cultivated at 75°C. Genomic DNA was extracted after 0-25 h using a Magtration System 12GC (Precision System Science, Matsudo, Japan). Extracted genomic DNA was digested using T4 Endonuclease V (T4 EndoV) (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA) at 37°C for 30 min, according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Ten units of enzyme were utilized per 100 ng of genomic DNA. Samples were then denatured at 85°C for 3 min and incubated at 4°C for 3 min. Genomic bands were monitored using 1% agarose gel staining with ethidium bromide.

Growth curves of knockout strains after UV-B irradiation
The DNA photolyase-deficient strain DP-1 and its derivatives did not exhibit photoreactivation activity under light conditions (50). To characterize the UV sensitivity of the knockout strains Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302, we examined their growth properties in parallel with the parent strain DP-1 after UV-B irradiation (0, 400, and 800 J m -2 ) (Fig. 2). The generation times and final cell concentrations of Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_1302 were similar to those of DP-1 without UV irradiation ( Fig. 2A and B). In contrast, the growth rate of ΔSaci_0951 was slightly slower than that of DP-1 (Fig. 2B). When DP-1 was exposed to UV irradiation at 400 J m -2 ( Fig. 2A and B), growth was identical to that of mock-treated DP-1 (without UV irradiation). The growth of Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_1302 was slightly retarded after UV irradiation at 400 J m -2 ( Fig. 2A and B), whereas that of ΔSaci_0951 was markedly delayed (Fig. 2B). After UV irradiation at 800 J m -2 , the growth of Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_1302 was delayed significantly more than that of DP-1 ( Fig. 2C and D). We did not observe the growth of ΔSaci_0951 after exposure to UV light at 800 J m -2 (Fig.  2D). Thus, our results clearly showed that the knockout strains Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 were more sensitive to UV-B irradiation than its parent strain. Reduction in the replication rate ------ The sensitivities of knockout strains to DNA damage are summarized. -, +, and ++ indicate no sensitivity, sensitivity, and strong sensitivity, respectively. No sensitivity means that the sensitivity of the knockout strain is the same as that of the parent strain. a Sakofsky et al. (41). The UV-B survival of the knockout strains Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 was examined and compared with that of the parent strain DP-1 (Fig. 3). Colony growth observed in mock-treated knockout strains was similar to that of DP-1 (0 J m -2 ). After UV irradiation at 400 J m -2 , Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 exhibited slightly stronger sensitivity to UV irradiation than DP-1. These sensitivities toward UV irradiation were accelerated at higher UV dosages (800 and 1,200 J m -2 ). Notably, following the exposure of DP-1 to UV light at 1,200 J m -2 , most of the cells survived. In contrast, colonies of the knockout strains hardly grew after UV irradiation at 1,200 J m -2 . These results demonstrated that Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 were significantly sensitive to UV-B irradiation.

UV-regulated genes are not essential for the DNA repair of UV-induced DNA photoproducts
The repair properties of CPDs were characterized according to the experiment described by Salerno et al. (42). This approach involved a CPD-specific digestion assay; however, the denaturation of genomic DNA was conducted at a high temperature. To clarify the capacity for the dark repair of CPDs as UV-induced DNA lesions, the parent strain (DP-1) and knockout strains Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 were exposed to UV light (1,200 J m -2 ) and immediately cultivated at 75°C. In this experiment using phr-deficient strains, CPDs were repaired through unknown DNA repair mechanisms (42) rather than through photoreactivation, even under light conditions. Genomic DNA was isolated from the cells at various time points after UV irradiation and treated with T4 EndoV, an enzyme that specifically introduces a nick at the CPD site. Denatured genomic DNA was subsequently monitored using agarose gel electrophoresis (Fig. 4). Genomic DNA extracted from the mock-treated cultures of DP-1, Δcdc6-2, Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951, and ΔSaci_1302 was not digested (lane C-0+), whereas that of the exposed samples was cleaved (lane UV-0+). When cells were cultivated at 75°C for 2 h after UV irradiation, some of the genomic DNA of DP-1 and Δcdc6-2 was not digested (lane UV-2+), indicating that DNA repair had already been initiated. Similarly, DNA repair was initiated in Δtfb3, Δrio1, ΔSaci_0951,

Sensitivity of knockout strains to helix-distorting DNA lesions
CPDs are helix-distorting DNA lesions (56). We investigated whether UV-regulated genes are involved in the response or DNA repair of UV-induced DNA damage as well as other types of helix-distorting DNA lesions. To examine the sensitivities of knockout strains to the intra-strand crosslink (cisplatin) and bulky adducts (4-NQO and metronidazole) (41), the growth properties of the knockout strains were characterized in the presence or absence of helix-distorting DNA-damaging agents and compared with the parent strain DP-1 (Fig. 5, 6,  and 7).
The cisplatin sensitivity test showed that the growth of Δtfb3 and ΔSaci_1302 was similar to that of DP-1 in the presence of 20 and 30 μg mL -1 cisplatin. However, their growth was slightly faster than that of DP-1 in the presence of 40 μg mL -1 cisplatin (Fig. 5). Similarly, no marked difference was observed between the growth of Δrio1 and that of DP-1 in the presence of 20 μg mL -1 cisplatin. Conversely, the growth of Δrio1 was delayed more than that of DP-1 in the presence of higher concentrations of cisplatin (30 and 40 μg mL -1 ). The significant growth retardation of Δcdc6-2 and ΔSaci_0951 was observed in the presence of 20-40 μg mL -1 cisplatin versus the growth of DP-1. Furthermore, the maximum cell density and rate of ΔSaci_0951 gradually decreased with increasing concentrations of cisplatin. These results clearly indicated that Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 exhibited strong sensitivities to DNA damage caused by cisplatin as an intra-strand crosslink DNA agent.
The 4-NQO sensitivity test indicated that the growth property of ΔSaci_1302 was similar to that of DP-1 in the presence of 0.3-0.5 μg mL -1 4-NQO (Fig. 6). In the presence of 0.3-0.5 μg mL -1 4-NQO, we observed the growth retardation of Δtfb3, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 versus DP-1. The growth of Δcdc6-2 was delayed significantly more in the presence of 0.3 μg mL -1 4-NQO than that of DP-1. In addition, Δcdc6-2 did not grow in the presence of higher concentrations of 4-NQO (i.e., 0.4 and 0.5 μg mL -1 ). These results revealed that Δtfb3, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 were sensitive to DNA adducts caused by 4-NQO and that Δcdc6-2 exhibited strong sensitivity.
The metronidazole sensitivity test did not demonstrate the significant growth retardation of the five knockout strains in the presence of 0.4 mg mL -1 metronidazole from that of DP-1 (data not shown). The growth of Δtfb3 and ΔSaci_1302 was identical to that of DP-1 in the presence of 0.8 mg mL -1 metronidazole. Moreover, the growth of Δtfb3 and ΔSaci_1302 was delayed more than that of DP-1 in the presence of 1.2 mg mL -1 metronidazole (Fig. 7). The growth retardation of Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 was observed in the presence of 0.8 mg mL -1 metronidazole. Furthermore, Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 did not grow in the presence of 1.2 mg mL -1 metronidazole. These results demonstrated that Δtfb3 and ΔSaci_1302 were sensitive to the DNA adducts caused by metronidazole and that Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 were significantly sensitive. After UV irradiation, DNA replication in S. acidocaldarius and S. solfataricus is repressed (14). To investigate the participation of UV-regulated genes in cell cycle regulation (DNA replication process), we examined the sensitivities of the knockout strains to DNA replication inhibitors (i.e., actinomycin D and novobiocin) (21). However, this experiment did not reveal significant growth retardation in the knockout strains versus DP-1 (data not shown).

Discussion
Two independent studies on transcriptional responses to UV irradiation in S. acidocaldarius and S. solfataricus and a subsequent analysis revealed that the Ups pilus is a DNA transfer system for the exchange of DNA following DNA damage (11,14,58). However, several important aspects of UV-regulated genes in the Sulfolobales species have not yet been investigated (14). The present study aims to provide critical experimental evidence of the participation of UV-regulated genes (cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, Saci_0951, and Saci_1302) in the in vivo responses of the thermophilic crenarchaeon S. acidocaldarius to UV irradiation. In addition to the Ups pili as a UV-responsive system (58), our genetic study revealed that five UV-regulated genes are involved in the in vivo response to UV irradiation. S. acidocaldarius clearly responds to UV-induced DNA damage at the transcriptional level. In addition, we demonstrated the involvement of cdc6-2, tfb3, rio1, and Saci_0951 in the responses to a variety of helix-distorting DNA lesions. This evidence expands our knowledge on the responses of the model crenarchaea Sulfolobus to DNA damage.
Based on the abundance of Cdc6 proteins in the cell cycle and binding patterns, Cdc6-2 may act as an inhibitor of the initiation of DNA replication (37). The initiation of DNA replication is inhibited in S. acidocaldarius after UV irradiation (14). Based on the present results ( Fig. 2 and 3) and previous  (14,37), the cdc6-2-deficient strain may exhibit sensitivity to UV irradiation because Δcdc6-2 is unable to inhibit the initiation of DNA replication after UV irradiation.
Our results (Fig. 2 and 3) revealed the participation of TFB3 in the in vivo responses to UV irradiation. These results suggest that the modulation of the transcriptional response by TFB3 is essential for survival after UV irradiation, particularly in cellular processes, rather than the DNA repair of UV-induced lesions. This may be attributed to the capability of Δtfb3 for the DNA repair of CPDs. A recent study revealed that TFB3 plays an essential role in regulating the number of genes involved in cell aggregation (ups operon) and/or intercellular DNA exchange (ced system) in S. islandicus (10).
The in vivo functions of eukaryotic RIO kinases have been characterized in detail, whereas its prokaryotic RIO kinases have not (9,27). For example, eukaryotic RIO kinase is essential in cell cycle progression and chromosome maintenance, and is also required for the synthesis of new ribosomes (3,52). Similarly, archaeal RIO kinases (rio1 and rio2) are involved in the maturation of the small ribosomal subunit that arises from the intricate assembly of several ribosomal RNAs and ribosomal proteins (25), and rio1 is required for the motility of S. acidocaldarius (22). The present results suggest an additional role for the archaeal RIO kinase rio1 in the response of S. acidocaldarius to UV irradiation (22,25) (Fig.  2 and 3). The eukaryotic-type response to DNA damage in archaea involving the use of protein phosphorylation as a signal has not yet been examined (56). Therefore, the present study is the first to demonstrate the involvement of protein kinase in the response of archaea to UV irradiation.
Saci_0951 and Saci_1302 were both strongly induced (11-and 7-fold, respectively) following UV irradiation (14). However, these genes encode hypothetical proteins. In the present study, the Saci_0951 and Saci_1302 knockout strains became sensitive to UV irradiation ( Fig. 2 and 3). Since the sensitivity patterns of ΔSaci_0951 and ΔSaci_1302 to DNA damage are distinct (Table 1), we speculate that Saci_0951 and Saci_1302 participate in different cellular processes. However, we currently cannot clarify the reasons for the sensitivity of ΔSaci_0951 and ΔSaci_1302 to UV irradiation because a sequence motif (putative conserved domain) of these proteins was not identified. Unexpectedly, the hypothetical protein Saci_0951 knockout strain exhibited the strongest sensitivity to UV irradiation in the present study (Fig. 2).
The sensitivities of the knockout strains to DNA damage are summarized in Table 1. The knockout strains were not  (Table 1). However, Δcdc6-2, Δrio1, and ΔSaci_0951 exhibited sensitivities to a wide variety of helix-distorting DNA lesions, including UV-induced DNA damage, the intra-strand crosslink, and bulky adducts (Table  1). We concluded that Cdc6-2, RIO1, and Saci_0951 are important in the response or DNA repair of UV-induced DNA damage and helix-distorting DNA lesions. Similarly, the general activator TFB3 is required in the response to helix-distorting DNA lesions ( Table 1). The results obtained revealed that UV-regulated genes are not specifically involved in the response to UV irradiation. In contrast, Saci_1302 may be specifically involved in this response (Table 1). We speculate that the repression of DNA replication by Cdc6-2 is important in the response to general DNA damage with potential for DSB rather than in the specific response to helix-distorting DNA lesions. UV-induced damage, cisplatin, and 4-NQO induce DNA-less cell formation in S. islandicus (20). Sun et al. recently demonstrated that Orc1-2/Cdc6-2 of S. islandicus interacts with a conserved hexanucleotide motif present in UV-regulated gene promoters (28) and regulates their expression (48). S. islandicus Δcdc6-2 also showed hypersensitivity to 4-NQO treatment, indicating that it acts as key regulators in the DNA damage (4-NQO) response in S. islandicus (48).
The results of our experiments and those of Sun et al. (48) suggest that Orc1-2/Cdc6-2 acts as a key regulator in helix-distorting DNA damage. Helix-distorting DNA lesions are generally removed via nucleotide excision repair (NER). However, recent genetic studies did not identify a canonical NER pathway in hyperthermophilic archaea (13, 18, 57, 62). Furthermore, excision activity through NER using a crude extract in hyperthermo-philic archaea has not yet been demonstrated (56). Therefore, the NER pathway in hyperthermophilic archaea remains unclear. Homologous recombination-mediated stalled fork DNA repair has been proposed as a possible repair pathway for helix-distorting DNA damage (13,18). The present study identified the genes involved in the responses to helix-distorting DNA damage of S. acidocaldarius. However, further studies are required to elucidate the DNA repair mechanisms of helix-distorting DNA lesions. Moreover, future investigations on the RIO kinase and the hypothetical protein Saci_0951 may provide insights into the helix-distorting DNA repair pathway in this archaeon. The RIO kinase may potentially modulate the activity of DNA repair proteins, and Saci_0951 may directly or indirectly participate in helix-distorting DNA repair.
We noted that the replacement of rio1 and Saci_0951 with a pyrE-lacS marker cassette may attenuate the genes encoded downstream of the marker cassette (Saci_0966 [RNA-processing protein] in Δrio1, Saci_0949 [hypothetical protein], and Saci_0950 [GHMP kinase] in ΔSaci_0951) in the same putative operons (Fig. 1B). We performed knockout experiments on Saci_0966, Saci_0949, and Saci_0949-0950 (triplicates), which did not reveal the growth of transformant colonies. We speculate that these genes are essential, which suggests that no attenuation of Saci_0966 in DP-8 (Δrio1) or Saci_0949 and Saci_0950 in DP-9 (ΔSaci_0951) occurred.
The members of the order Sulfolobales inhabit an extreme habitat; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms to tolerate sunlight were not previously examined. The present study revealed that S. acidocaldarius utilizes common genes for its response to UV-induced damage and other types of helix-distorting DNA damage. The present results may assist