Glucose and glucose-6-phosphate interaction with Xyl repressor proteins from Bacillus spp. may contribute to regulation of xylose utilization.

The xyl operons of several gram-positive bacteria are regulated at the level of transcription by xylose-responsive repressor proteins (XylR). In addition, they are catabolite repressed. Here, we describe a mechanism by which glucose metabolism can affect both regulatory mechanisms. Glucose-6-phosphate appeared to be an anti-inducer of xyl operon transcription, since it could compete with xylose in interaction in vitro with XylR from Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. licheniformis. On the other hand, glucose was a low-efficiency inactivator of XylR from B. subtilis and B. megaterium and a weak anti-inducer of XylR from B. licheniformis. Thus, the chemical nature of the substituent at C-5 of xylose and the primary structure of XylR determine the effect of these compounds on xyl operon transcription.