A small periplasmic protein governs broad physiological adaptations in Vibrio cholerae via regulation of the DbfRS two-component system.

ABSTRACT: Two-component signaling pathways allow bacteria to sense and respond to environmental changes, yet the sensory mechanisms of many remain poorly understood. In the pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the DbfRS two-component system controls the biofilm lifecycle, a critical process for environmental persistence and host colonization. Here, we identified DbfQ, a small periplasmic protein encoded adjacent to dbfRS, as a direct modulator of pathway activity. DbfQ directly binds the sensory domain of the histidine kinase DbfS, shifting it toward phosphatase activity and promoting biofilm dispersal. In contrast, outer membrane perturbations, caused by mutations in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes or membrane-damaging antimicrobials, activate phosphorylation of the response regulator DbfR. Transcriptom

SUBMITTER: Nguyen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12714742 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature