Phase variation of Clostridioides difficile colony morphology occurs via modulation of cell division.

ABSTRACT: Phase variation of C. difficile colony morphology occurs via modulation of transcription of cmrRST, which encodes a three-protein signal transduction system. Response regulators CmrR and CmrT promote rough colony development, cell elongation and chaining, surface motility, and disease in the hamster model of infection, while impairing swimming motility and biofilm formation. Using RNA-Seq, we identified the CmrR and CmrT-dependent transcriptional differences in rough and smooth colonies. Further analysis showed that CmrT, but not CmrR, is required for differential expression of most of the genes. Two CmrT-regulated genes, herein named mrpA and mrpB, were together sufficient for restoring all CmrT-dependent in vitro phenotypes in a cmrT mutant and alleviating selection of cmr phase ON cells

SUBMITTER: Mehra A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12694794 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature