BqsR/BqsS constitute a two-component system that senses extracellular Fe(II) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacterium best known as the predominant opportunistic pathogen infecting the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. In this context, it is thought to form biofilms, within which locally reducing and acidic conditions can develop that favor the stability of ferrous iron [Fe(II)]. Because iron is a signal that stimulates biofilm formation, we performed a microarray study to determine whether P. aeruginosa strain PA14 exhibits a specific transcriptional response to extracellular Fe(II). Among the genes that were most upregulated in response to Fe(II) were those encoding the two-component system BqsR/BqsS, previously identified for its role in P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 biofilm decay (13); here, we demonstrate its role in extracellular Fe(II) sen

SUBMITTER: Kreamer NN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3294787 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature