No detectable effect of RNA-binding protein Hfq absence in Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The RNA-binding protein Hfq is involved in stress and virulence of several pathogens, probably due to its role as mediator in small RNA (sRNA)-mRNA interactions. In this study, we investigate the function of Hfq in the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, by constructing hfq null mutant derivatives.

Results

We report that unexpectedly, in S. aureus, Hfq does not seem to play a crucial role in stress response, RNAIII or spa mRNA quantity and exoprotein expression, as tested in three virulent genetic backgrounds. Moreover, a global analysis of the RN6390 hfq mutant, which tests approximately 2000 phenotypes, supports our results concerning the non-implication of Hfq in stress response, and shows that Hfq is also not involved in resistance to several chemica

SUBMITTER: Bohn C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1800855 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature