Regulation of gene expression in the PTS in Escherichia coli: the role and interactions of Mlc

Mlc represses several glucose-related genes, including the phosphotransferase system (PTS) genes ptsHI and ptsG. Induction of these genes by glucose occurs as a response to the flux of glucose through the PTS and involves the sequestration of Mlc to membranes containing dephosphorylated PtsG. In addition, ptsG levels are post-transcriptionally regulated by the glycolytic flux. PtsG is, thus, subject to multiple layers of control that, in turn, feed back on the regulation of the PTS by Mlc. The regulatory function of Mlc is compared with that of FruR and of the PTS-regulation-domain-containing protein, BglG.