Role of the PhoP–PhoQ gene regulatory system in adaptation of Yersinia pestis to environmental stress in the flea digestive tract

• DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000082
• Publication Date: 2015-03-25T06:05:16Z
• Authors: Viveka Vadyvaloo; Austin K. Viall; Clayton O. Jarrett; Angela K. Hinz; Daniel E. Sturdevant; B. Joseph Hinnebusch
• Keywords: Yersinia pestis; Xenopsylla

The Yersinia pestis PhoPQ gene regulatory system is induced during infection of the flea digestive tract and required to produce adherent biofilm in foregut, which greatly enhances bacterial transmission a bite. To understand vivo context induction determine PhoP-regulated targets flea, we undertook whole-genome comparative transcriptional profiling Y. WT ΔphoP strains isolated from infected fleas temperature-matched vitro planktonic flow-cell cultures. In absence PhoP regulation, expression program indicated that bacteria experienced diverse physiological stresses were metabolically less active state. Multiple stress response genes, including several toxin-antitoxin loci YhcN family genes responsible for increased acid tolerance, upregulated phoP mutant infection. data implied was by low pH gut, modulated adaptation other encountered flea. This adaptive response, together with PhoP-dependent modification outer surface includes repression 6 antigen fimbriae, supports stable development foregut.