A single point mutation is sufficient to drive <i>syp</i>-dependent biofilm formation and promote colonization by <i>Vibrio fischeri</i>.

ABSTRACT: Symbiotic colonization by Vibrio fischeri relies on the syp gene cluster, which encodes proteins predicted to synthesize and export a polysaccharide, SYP, that functions in cell-cell adherence. In strain ES114, four two-component sensor kinase/phosphatases, including central regulator SypF and the nitric oxide/HnoX-controlled HahK, dictate the activities of two response regulators, SypG and SypE, which in turn control SYP production. Here, we report that a single nucleotide change (C/A) upstream of the hnoX-hahK operon caused a substantial 80-fold increase in its transcription. While a search for negative regulators yielded Zur (zinc uptake regulator), loss of Zur only modestly (approximately threefold) increased transcription. We found instead that the C/A change enge

SUBMITTER: Fung BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369376 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature