Posttranscriptional Regulation of the Yersinia pestis Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Crp and Impact on Virulence

• DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01038-13
• Publication Date: 2014-02-12T02:34:41Z
• Authors: Wyndham W. Lathem; Jay A. Schroeder; Lauren E. Bellows; Jeremy T. Ritzert; Jovanka T. Koo; Paul A. Price; Adam J. Caulfield; William E. Goldman
• Keywords: Yersinia pestis

The cyclic AMP receptor protein (Crp) is a transcriptional regulator that controls the expression of numerous bacterial genes, usually in response to environmental conditions and particularly by sensing availability carbon. In plague pathogen Yersinia pestis, Crp regulates multiple virulence factors, including components type III secretion system plasminogen activator protease Pla. regulation itself, however, distinctly different from found well-studied Escherichia coli system. Here, we show at physiological temperatures, synthesis Y. pestis positively regulated posttranscriptional level. loss small RNA chaperone Hfq results decreased levels but not steady-state transcript levels, this regulatory effect occurs within 5' untranslated region (UTR) mRNA. activation required for pla, decoupling crp through use an exogenously controlled promoter UTR increases Pla as well partially rescues growth defect associated with Hfq. Finally, both contribute during pneumonic plague. Hfq-dependent, may be specific species, thus our data help explain dramatic defects pestis.The major bacteria, its tightly avoid inappropriate induction regulon. report, provide first evidence Hfq-dependent manner Our discovery dependent adds additional layer catabolite repression bacterium. work provides mechanism which links just glucose or other carbon sources also signals influence abundance via RNAs turn, allows fine-tune optimize gene infection allow bacterium adapt unique niches.