Genetic analysis of the role of yfiR in the ability of Escherichia coli CFT073 to control cellular cyclic dimeric GMP levels and to persist in the urinary tract.

ABSTRACT: During urinary tract infections (UTIs), uropathogenic Escherichia coli must maintain a delicate balance between sessility and motility to achieve successful infection of both the bladder and kidneys. Previous studies showed that cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) levels aid in the control of the transition between motile and nonmotile states in E. coli. The yfiRNB locus in E. coli CFT073 contains genes for YfiN, a diguanylate cyclase, and its activity regulators, YfiR and YfiB. Deletion of yfiR yielded a mutant that was attenuated in both the bladder and the kidneys when tested in competition with the wild-type strain in the murine model of UTI. A double yfiRN mutant was not attenuated in the mouse model, suggesting that unregulated YfiN activity and likely increased cytoplasmic c-di-GMP levels

SUBMITTER: Raterman EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3754225 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature