Role of MetR and PurR in the activation of glyA by CsgD in Escherichia coli K-12

The csgD gene of Escherichia coli is required for the expression of curli fibres, surface fibres that are important for biofilm formation and infection. Previously, we demonstrated that expression of CsgD from a multicopy plasmid increased expression of the glyA gene, which codes for serine hydroxymethyltransferase. We show here that this activation requires the participation of both known regulatory proteins, MetR and PurR. The adjacent divergently transcribed gene hmp was weakly induced by CsgD, but its induction did not require MetR or PurR. The effect of CsgD on the expression of several pur and met genes was also tested.     

Cyclic di-GMP signalling controls virulence properties of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at the mucosal lining

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), a novel secondary signalling molecule present in most bacteria, controls transition between motility and sessility. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ( S. typhimurium ) high c-di-GMP concentrations favour the expression of a biofilm state through expression of the master regulator CsgD. In this work, we investigate the effect of c-di-GMP signalling on virulence phenotypes of S. typhimurium. After saturation of the cell with c-di-GMP by overexpression of a di-guanylate cyclase, we studied invasion and induction of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in epithelial cells, basic phenotypes that are major determinants of S. typhimurium virulence. Elevated c-di-GMP had a profound effect on invasion into and IL-8 production by the gastrointestinal epithelial cell line HT-29. Invasion was mainly inhibited through CsgD and the extracellular matrix component cellulose, while inhibition of the pro-inflammatory response occurred through CsgD, which inhibited the secretion of monomeric flagellin. Our results suggest that transition between biofilm formation and virulence in S. typhimurium at the epithelial cell lining is mediated by c-di-GMP signalling through CsgD and cellulose expression.     

Role of the biofilm master regulator CsgD in cross-regulation between biofilm formation and flagellar synthesis

CsgD, the master regulator of biofilm formation, activates the synthesis of curli fimbriae and extracellular polysaccharides in Escherichia coli. To obtain insights into its regulatory role, we have identified a total of 20 novel regulation target genes on the E. coli genome by using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip analysis with a high-density DNA microarray. By DNase I footprinting, the consensus CsgD-binding sequence predicted from a total of 18 target sites was found to include AAAAGNG(N(2))AAAWW. After a promoter-lacZ fusion assay, the CsgD targets were classified into two groups: group I genes, such as fliE and yhbT, are repressed by CsgD, while group II genes, including yccT and adrA, are activated by CsgD. The fliE and fliEFGH operons for flagellum formation are directly repressed by CsgD, while CsgD activates the adrA gene, which encodes an enzyme for synthesis of cyclic di-GMP, a bacterial second messenger, which in turn inhibits flagellum production and rotation. Taking these findings together, we propose that the cell motility for planktonic growth is repressed by CsgD, thereby promoting the switch to biofilm formation.     

The influence of CsgD on the expression of genes of folate metabolism and hmp in Escherichia coli K-12

The csgD gene codes for the regulatory protein CsgD. CsgD upregulates the synthesis of the adhesive fimbriae, curli, that are important for biofilm formation and downregulates flagellar synthesis. We compared the expression of genes involved in folate metabolism and a gene (hmp) in strains with an intact csgD gene and with a deletion in csgD. The hmp gene codes a flavohemoglobin that inactivates nitric oxide. Expression was monitored by measuring light production from single copy lux operon fusions. At late times of growth, expression of genes responsible for methylene tetrahydrofolate synthesis (glyA and gcvTHP) and formyltetrahydrofolate recycling (purU) was higher in cells with CsgD than those without. In contrast, expression of hmp was lower in the presence of CsgD throughout the period monitored. We used a novel defined medium which should assist in defining nutritional factors that contribute to curli formation.     

Biofilm Formation and Dispersal under the Influence of the Global Regulator CsrA of Escherichia coli

The predominant mode of growth of bacteria in the environment is within sessile, matrix-enclosed communities known as biofilms. Biofilms often complicate chronic and difficult-to-treat infections by protecting bacteria from the immune system, decreasing antibiotic efficacy, and dispersing planktonic cells to distant body sites. While the biology of bacterial biofilms has become a major focus of microbial research, the regulatory mechanisms of biofilm development remain poorly defined and those of dispersal are unknown. Here we establish that the RNA binding global regulatory protein CsrA (carbon storage regulator) of Escherichia coli K-12 serves as both a repressor of biofilm formation and an activator of biofilm dispersal under a variety of culture conditions. Ectopic expression of the E. coli K-12 csrA gene repressed biofilm formation by related bacterial pathogens. A csrA knockout mutation enhanced biofilm formation in E. coli strains that were defective for extracellular, surface, or regulatory factors previously implicated in biofilm formation. In contrast, this csrA mutation did not affect biofilm formation by a glgA (glycogen synthase) knockout mutant. Complementation studies with glg genes provided further genetic evidence that the effects of CsrA on biofilm formation are mediated largely through the regulation of intracellular glycogen biosynthesis and catabolism. Finally, the expression of a chromosomally encoded csrA'-'lacZ translational fusion was dynamically regulated during biofilm formation in a pattern consistent with its role as a repressor. We propose that global regulation of central carbon flux by CsrA is an extremely important feature of E. coli biofilm development.     

大肠杆菌卷曲菌毛的生物合成和致病性

大肠杆菌卷曲菌毛是其菌体表面的一种含纤维素样蛋白质附着器官,出现在大肠杆菌生理和病理过程中。卷曲菌毛可以通过黏附等作用介导大肠杆菌侵袭宿主;作为一种细菌淀粉样蛋白,卷曲菌毛有可能引起淀粉样蛋白相关疾病;卷曲菌毛可以诱导宿主炎症因子水平升高,引起脓毒血症;卷曲菌毛可以和纤维素等一起构成菌外基质,参与生物膜的形成。我们简要综述了大肠杆菌卷曲菌毛的生物合成、生物学功能和致病性。