Surface sensing in Vibrio parahaemolyticus triggers a programme of gene expression that promotes colonization and virulence

ABSTRACT: Vibrio parahaemolyticus senses surfaces via impeded rotation of its polar flagellum. We have exploited this surface-sensing mechanism to trick the organism into thinking it is on a surface when it is growing in liquid. This facilitated studies of global gene expression in a way that avoided many of the complications of surface-to-liquid comparisons, and illuminated ~ 70 genes that respond to surface sensing per se. Almost all are surface-induced (not repressed) and encode swarming motility proteins, virulence factors or sensory enzymes involved with chemoreception and c-di-GMP signalling. Follow-up studies were performed to place the surfaceresponsive genes in a regulatory hierarchy. Mapping the hierarchy revealed two surprises about LafK, a transcriptional activator that until now has bee

ORGANISM(S): Vibrio parahaemolyticus

SUBMITTER: Linda McCarter 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-18763 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress