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Nlp enhances biofilm formation by Yersinia pestis biovar microtus. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105659. [PMID: 35760284 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Biofilms formed by Yersinia pestis are able to attach to and block flea's proventriculus, which stimulates the transmission of this pathogen from fleas to mammals. In this study, we found that Nlp (YP1143) enhanced biofilm formation by Y. pestis and had regulatory effects on biofilm-associated genes at the transcriptional level. Phenotypic assays, including colony morphology assay, crystal violet staining, and Caenorhabditis elegans biofilm assay, disclosed that Nlp strongly promoted biofilm formation by Y. pestis. Further gene regulation assays showed that Nlp stimulated the expression of hmsHFRS, hmsCDE and hmsB, while had no regulatory effect on the expression of hmsT and hmsP at the transcriptional level. These findings promoted us to gain more understanding of the complex regulatory circuits controlling biofilm formation by Y. pestis.
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2
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Vargas-Blanco DA, Shell SS. Regulation of mRNA Stability During Bacterial Stress Responses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2111. [PMID: 33013770 PMCID: PMC7509114 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have a remarkable ability to sense environmental changes, swiftly regulating their transcriptional and posttranscriptional machinery as a response. Under conditions that cause growth to slow or stop, bacteria typically stabilize their transcriptomes in what has been shown to be a conserved stress response. In recent years, diverse studies have elucidated many of the mechanisms underlying mRNA degradation, yet an understanding of the regulation of mRNA degradation under stress conditions remains elusive. In this review we discuss the diverse mechanisms that have been shown to affect mRNA stability in bacteria. While many of these mechanisms are transcript-specific, they provide insight into possible mechanisms of global mRNA stabilization. To that end, we have compiled information on how mRNA fate is affected by RNA secondary structures; interaction with ribosomes, RNA binding proteins, and small RNAs; RNA base modifications; the chemical nature of 5' ends; activity and concentration of RNases and other degradation proteins; mRNA and RNase localization; and the stringent response. We also provide an analysis of reported relationships between mRNA abundance and mRNA stability, and discuss the importance of stress-associated mRNA stabilization as a potential target for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Vargas-Blanco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Scarlet S Shell
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States.,Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
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3
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Chakravarty S, Massé E. RNA-Dependent Regulation of Virulence in Pathogenic Bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:337. [PMID: 31649894 PMCID: PMC6794450 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During infection, bacterial pathogens successfully sense, respond and adapt to a myriad of harsh environments presented by the mammalian host. This exquisite level of adaptation requires a robust modulation of their physiological and metabolic features. Additionally, virulence determinants, which include host invasion, colonization and survival despite the host's immune responses and antimicrobial therapy, must be optimally orchestrated by the pathogen at all times during infection. This can only be achieved by tight coordination of gene expression. A large body of evidence implicate the prolific roles played by bacterial regulatory RNAs in mediating gene expression both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This review describes mechanistic and regulatory aspects of bacterial regulatory RNAs and highlights how these molecules increase virulence efficiency in human pathogens. As illustrative examples, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, the uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been selected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Chakravarty
- RNA Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, CRCHUS, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Massé
- RNA Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, CRCHUS, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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4
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Bharwad K, Rajkumar S. Rewiring the functional complexity between Crc, Hfq and sRNAs to regulate carbon catabolite repression in Pseudomonas. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:140. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2717-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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5
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Abstract
Bacterial regulatory RNAs are key players in adaptation to changing environmental conditions and response to diverse cellular stresses. However, while regulatory RNAs of bacterial pathogens have been intensely studied under defined conditions in vitro, characterization of their role during the infection of eukaryotic host organisms is lagging behind. This review summarizes our current understanding of the contribution of the different classes of regulatory RNAs and RNA-binding proteins to bacterial virulence and illustrates their role in infection by reviewing the mechanisms of some prominent representatives of each class. Emerging technologies are described that bear great potential for global, unbiased studies of virulence-related RNAs in bacterial model and nonmodel pathogens in the future. The review concludes by deducing common principles of RNA-mediated gene expression control of virulence programs in different pathogens, and by defining important open questions for upcoming research in the field.
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6
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Knittel V, Vollmer I, Volk M, Dersch P. Discovering RNA-Based Regulatory Systems for Yersinia Virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:378. [PMID: 30460205 PMCID: PMC6232918 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Yersinia includes three human pathogenic species, Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the bubonic and pneumonic plague, and enteric pathogens Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis that cause a number of gut-associated diseases. Over the past years a large repertoire of RNA-based regulatory systems has been discovered in these pathogens using different RNA-seq based approaches. Among them are several conserved or species-specific RNA-binding proteins, regulatory and sensory RNAs as well as various RNA-degrading enzymes. Many of them were shown to control the expression of important virulence-relevant factors and have a very strong impact on Yersinia virulence. The precise targets, the molecular mechanism and their role for Yersinia pathogenicity is only known for a small subset of identified genus- or species-specific RNA-based control elements. However, the ongoing development of new RNA-seq based methods and data analysis methods to investigate the synthesis, composition, translation, decay, and modification of RNAs in the bacterial cell will help us to generate a more comprehensive view of Yersinia RNA biology in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Knittel
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ines Vollmer
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marcel Volk
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petra Dersch
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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7
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Grenga L, Chandra G, Saalbach G, Galmozzi CV, Kramer G, Malone JG. Analyzing the Complex Regulatory Landscape of Hfq - an Integrative, Multi-Omics Approach. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1784. [PMID: 29033902 PMCID: PMC5627042 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteria to respond to environmental change is based on the ability to coordinate, redirect and fine-tune their genetic repertoire as and when required. While we can learn a great deal from reductive analysis of individual pathways and global approaches to gene regulation, a deeper understanding of these complex signaling networks requires the simultaneous consideration of several regulatory layers at the genome scale. To highlight the power of this approach we analyzed the Hfq transcriptional/translational regulatory network in the model bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. We first used extensive ‘omics’ analyses to assess how hfq deletion affects mRNA abundance, mRNA translation and protein abundance. The subsequent, multi-level integration of these datasets allows us to highlight the discrete contributions by Hfq to gene regulation at different levels. The integrative approach to regulatory analysis we describe here has significant potential, for both dissecting individual signaling pathways and understanding the strategies bacteria use to cope with external challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Grenga
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes CentreNorwich, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East AngliaNorwich, United Kingdom
| | - Govind Chandra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes CentreNorwich, United Kingdom
| | - Gerhard Saalbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes CentreNorwich, United Kingdom
| | - Carla V Galmozzi
- Center for Molecular Biology of the University of Heidelberg, DKFZ-ZMBH AllianceHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Kramer
- Center for Molecular Biology of the University of Heidelberg, DKFZ-ZMBH AllianceHeidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research CenterHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacob G Malone
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes CentreNorwich, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East AngliaNorwich, United Kingdom
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8
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Tissue dual RNA-seq allows fast discovery of infection-specific functions and riboregulators shaping host-pathogen transcriptomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E791-E800. [PMID: 28096329 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613405114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria need to rapidly adjust their virulence and fitness program to prevent eradication by the host. So far, underlying adaptation processes that drive pathogenesis have mostly been studied in vitro, neglecting the true complexity of host-induced stimuli acting on the invading pathogen. In this study, we developed an unbiased experimental approach that allows simultaneous monitoring of genome-wide infection-linked transcriptional alterations of the host and colonizing extracellular pathogens. Using this tool for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis-infected lymphatic tissues, we revealed numerous alterations of host transcripts associated with inflammatory and acute-phase responses, coagulative activities, and transition metal ion sequestration, highlighting that the immune response is dominated by infiltrating neutrophils and elicits a mixed TH17/TH1 response. In consequence, the pathogen's response is mainly directed to prevent phagocytic attacks. Yersinia up-regulates the gene and expression dose of the antiphagocytic type III secretion system (T3SS) and induces functions counteracting neutrophil-induced ion deprivation, radical stress, and nutritional restraints. Several conserved bacterial riboregulators were identified that impacted this response. The strongest influence on virulence was found for the loss of the carbon storage regulator (Csr) system, which is shown to be essential for the up-regulation of the T3SS on host cell contact. In summary, our established approach provides a powerful tool for the discovery of infection-specific stimuli, induced host and pathogen responses, and underlying regulatory processes.
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9
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Nuss AM, Heroven AK, Dersch P. RNA Regulators: Formidable Modulators of Yersinia Virulence. Trends Microbiol 2016; 25:19-34. [PMID: 27651123 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A large repertoire of RNA-based regulatory mechanisms, including a plethora of cis- and trans-acting noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), sensory RNA elements, regulatory RNA-binding proteins, and RNA-degrading enzymes have been uncovered lately as key players in the regulation of metabolism, stress responses, and virulence of the genus Yersinia. Many of them are strictly controlled in response to fluctuating environmental conditions sensed during the course of the infection, and certain riboregulators have already been shown to be crucial for virulence. Some of them are highly conserved among the family Enterobacteriaceae, while others are genus-, species-, or strain-specific and could contribute to the difference in Yersinia pathogenicity. Importantly, the analysis of Yersinia riboregulators has not only uncovered crucial elements and regulatory mechanisms governing host-pathogen interactions, it also revealed exciting new venues for the design of novel anti-infectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Nuss
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ann Kathrin Heroven
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petra Dersch
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
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10
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Abstract
Enteric pathogens of the family Enterobacteriaceae colonize various niches within animals and humans in which they compete with intestinal commensals and are attacked by the host immune system. To survive these hostile environments they possess complex, multilayer regulatory networks that coordinate the control of virulence factors, host-adapted metabolic functions and stress resistance. An important part of these intricate control networks are RNA-based control systems that enable the pathogen to fine-tune its responses. Recent next-generation sequencing approaches revealed a large repertoire of conserved and species-specific riboregulators, including numerous cis- and trans-acting non-coding RNAs, sensory RNA elements (RNA thermometers, riboswitches), regulatory RNA-binding proteins and RNA degrading enzymes which regulate colonization factors, toxins, host defense processes and virulence-relevant physiological and metabolic processes. All of which are important cues for pathogens to sense and respond to fluctuating conditions during the infection. This review covers infection-relevant riboregulators of E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia, highlights their versatile regulatory mechanisms, complex target regulons and functions, and discusses emerging topics and future challenges to fully understand and exploit RNA-based control to combat bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Kathrin Heroven
- a Department of Molecular Infection Biology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Aaron M Nuss
- a Department of Molecular Infection Biology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Petra Dersch
- a Department of Molecular Infection Biology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
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11
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Chen S, Thompson KM, Francis MS. Environmental Regulation of Yersinia Pathophysiology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:25. [PMID: 26973818 PMCID: PMC4773443 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallmarks of Yersinia pathogenesis include the ability to form biofilms on surfaces, the ability to establish close contact with eukaryotic target cells and the ability to hijack eukaryotic cell signaling and take over control of strategic cellular processes. Many of these virulence traits are already well-described. However, of equal importance is knowledge of both confined and global regulatory networks that collaborate together to dictate spatial and temporal control of virulence gene expression. This review has the purpose to incorporate historical observations with new discoveries to provide molecular insight into how some of these regulatory mechanisms respond rapidly to environmental flux to govern tight control of virulence gene expression by pathogenic Yersinia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan, China
| | - Karl M Thompson
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Howard University Washington, DC, USA
| | - Matthew S Francis
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
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12
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Abstract
Y. pestis exhibits dramatically different traits of pathogenicity and transmission, albeit their close genetic relationship with its ancestor-Y. pseudotuberculosis, a self-limiting gastroenteric pathogen. Y. pestis is evolved into a deadly pathogen and transmitted to mammals and/or human beings by infected flea biting or directly contacting with the infected animals. Various kinds of environmental changes are implicated into its complex life cycle and pathogenesis. Dynamic regulation of gene expression is critical for environmental adaptation or survival, primarily reflected by genetic regulation mediated by transcriptional factors and small regulatory RNAs at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level, respectively. The effects of genetic regulation have been shown to profoundly influence Y. pestis physiology and pathogenesis such as stress resistance, biofilm formation, intracellular survival, and replication. In this chapter, we mainly summarize the progresses on popular methods of genetic regulation and on regulatory patterns and consequences of many key transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulators, with a particular emphasis on how genetic regulation influences the biofilm and virulence of Y. pestis.
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13
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Martínez-Chavarría LC, Vadyvaloo V. Yersinia pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection: a regulatory RNA perspective. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:956. [PMID: 26441890 PMCID: PMC4585118 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, responsible for causing fulminant plague, has evolved clonally from the enteric pathogen, Y. pseudotuberculosis, which in contrast, causes a relatively benign enteric illness. An ~97% nucleotide identity over 75% of their shared protein coding genes is maintained between these two pathogens, leaving much conjecture regarding the molecular determinants responsible for producing these vastly different disease etiologies, host preferences and transmission routes. One idea is that coordinated production of distinct factors required for host adaptation and virulence in response to specific environmental cues could contribute to the distinct pathogenicity distinguishing these two species. Small non-coding RNAs that direct posttranscriptional regulation have recently been identified as key molecules that may provide such timeous expression of appropriate disease enabling factors. Here the burgeoning field of small non-coding regulatory RNAs in Yersinia pathogenesis is reviewed from the viewpoint of adaptive colonization, virulence and divergent evolution of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luary C Martínez-Chavarría
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México Mexico
| | - Viveka Vadyvaloo
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
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14
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Fang N, Qu S, Yang H, Fang H, Liu L, Zhang Y, Wang L, Han Y, Zhou D, Yang R. HmsB enhances biofilm formation in Yersinia pestis. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:685. [PMID: 25566205 PMCID: PMC4264472 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The hmsHFRS operon is responsible for biosynthesis and translocation of biofilm matrix exopolysaccharide. Yersinia pestis expresses the two sole diguanylate cyclases HmsT and HmsD and the sole phosphodiesterase HmsP, which are specific for biosynthesis and degradation, respectively, of 3′,5′-cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a second messenger promoting exopolysaccharide production. In this work, the phenotypic assays indicates that Y. pestis sRNA HmsB enhances the production of c-di-GMP, exopolysaccharide, and biofilm. Further gene regulation experiments disclose that HmsB stimulates the expression of hmsB, hmsCDE, hmsT, and hmsHFRS but represses that of hmsP. HmsB most likely acts as a major activator of biofilm formation in Y. pestis. This is the first report of regulation of Yersinia biofilm formation by a sRNA. Data presented here will promote us to gain a deeper understanding of the complex regulatory circuits controlling Yersinia biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Shi Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Haihong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Yiquan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Beijing, China
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15
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Caswell CC, Oglesby-Sherrouse AG, Murphy ER. Sibling rivalry: related bacterial small RNAs and their redundant and non-redundant roles. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:151. [PMID: 25389522 PMCID: PMC4211561 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small RNA molecules (sRNAs) are now recognized as key regulators controlling bacterial gene expression, as sRNAs provide a quick and efficient means of positively or negatively altering the expression of specific genes. To date, numerous sRNAs have been identified and characterized in a myriad of bacterial species, but more recently, a theme in bacterial sRNAs has emerged: the presence of more than one highly related sRNAs produced by a given bacterium, here termed sibling sRNAs. Sibling sRNAs are those that are highly similar at the nucleotide level, and while it might be expected that sibling sRNAs exert identical regulatory functions on the expression of target genes based on their high degree of relatedness, emerging evidence is demonstrating that this is not always the case. Indeed, there are several examples of bacterial sibling sRNAs with non-redundant regulatory functions, but there are also instances of apparent regulatory redundancy between sibling sRNAs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of bacterial sibling sRNAs, and also discusses important questions about the significance and evolutionary implications of this emerging class of regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton C Caswell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Amanda G Oglesby-Sherrouse
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin R Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Athens, OH, USA
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16
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Heroven AK, Dersch P. Coregulation of host-adapted metabolism and virulence by pathogenic yersiniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:146. [PMID: 25368845 PMCID: PMC4202721 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the principles how pathogenic bacteria adapt their metabolism to a specific host microenvironment is critical for understanding bacterial pathogenesis. The enteric pathogenic Yersinia species Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica and the causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, are able to survive in a large variety of environmental reservoirs (e.g., soil, plants, insects) as well as warm-blooded animals (e.g., rodents, pigs, humans) with a particular preference for lymphatic tissues. In order to manage rapidly changing environmental conditions and interbacterial competition, Yersinia senses the nutritional composition during the course of an infection by special molecular devices, integrates this information and adapts its metabolism accordingly. In addition, nutrient availability has an impact on expression of virulence genes in response to C-sources, demonstrating a tight link between the pathogenicity of yersiniae and utilization of nutrients. Recent studies revealed that global regulatory factors such as the cAMP receptor protein (Crp) and the carbon storage regulator (Csr) system are part of a large network of transcriptional and posttranscriptional control strategies adjusting metabolic changes and virulence in response to temperature, ion and nutrient availability. Gained knowledge about the specific metabolic requirements and the correlation between metabolic and virulence gene expression that enable efficient host colonization led to the identification of new potential antimicrobial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Kathrin Heroven
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institut für Mikrobiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petra Dersch
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institut für Mikrobiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig, Germany
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