A 3',5' cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase modulates cAMP levels and optimizes competence in Haemophilus influenzae Rd.

ABSTRACT: Changes in intracellular 3',5' cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration regulate the development of natural competence in Haemophilus influenzae. In Escherichia coli, cAMP levels are modulated by a cAMP phosphodiesterase encoded by the cpdA gene. We have used several approaches to demonstrate that the homologous icc gene of H. influenzae encodes a functional cAMP phosphodiesterase and that this gene limits intracellular cAMP and thereby influences competence and other cAMP-dependent processes. In E. coli, expression of cloned icc reduced both cAMP-dependent sugar fermentation and beta-galactosidase expression, as has been shown for cpdA. In H. influenzae, an icc null mutation increased cAMP-dependent sugar fermentation and competence development in strains where these processes are limited by mutat

SUBMITTER: Macfadyen LP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC107447 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature