Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is a fundamental molecule crucial for numerous biological processes, such as ATP synthesis and phospholipid formation. To prevent cellular toxicity, Pi transport is often linked to counterion transport within the bacterium. This review discusses the multifaceted functions of the PhoU protein in bacterial regulation, focusing on its role in coordinating Pi transport with counterions, controlling polyphosphate accumulation, and regulating secondary metabolite biosynthesis and DNA repair. We also explore recent findings that challenge the conventional view of PhoU simply as a negative regulator in phosphate signaling, suggesting its broader impact on bacterial physiology and stress response. Understanding the diverse functions of PhoU provides new insight into bacterial biology and offers potential therapeutic implications.

无机磷酸盐 (Pi) 是对许多生物过程至关重要的基本分子，例如 ATP 合成和磷脂形成。为了防止细胞毒性，Pi 转运通常与细菌内的抗衡离子转运相关。本综述讨论了 PhoU 蛋白在细菌调节中的多方面功能，重点关注其在协调 Pi 转运与反离子、控制多磷酸盐积累以及调节次级代谢物生物合成和DNA 修复方面的作用。我们还探讨了最近的发现，这些发现挑战了 PhoU 仅仅作为磷酸盐信号传导负调节剂的传统观点，表明它对细菌生理学和应激反应具有更广泛的影响。了解 PhoU 的多种功能可以为细菌生物学提供新的见解，并提供潜在的治疗意义。