Staphylococcal aconitase expression during iron deficiency is controlled by an sRNA-driven feedforward loop and moonlighting activity.

ABSTRACT: Pathogenic bacteria employ complex systems to cope with metal ion shortage conditions and propagate in the host. IsrR is a regulatory RNA (sRNA) whose activity is decisive for optimum Staphylococcus aureus fitness upon iron starvation and for full virulence. IsrR down-regulates several genes encoding iron-containing enzymes to spare iron for essential processes. Here, we report that IsrR regulates the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by controlling aconitase (CitB), an iron-sulfur cluster-containing enzyme, and its transcriptional regulator, CcpE. This IsrR-dependent dual-regulatory mechanism provides an RNA-driven feedforward loop, underscoring the tight control required to prevent aconitase expression. Beyond its canonical enzymatic role, aconitase becomes an RNA-binding protein with regul

SUBMITTER: Barrault M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11317140 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature