Dataset Information

Overexpression of the small RNA PA0805.1 modulates the expression of a large set of genes and proteins, resulting in altered motility, cytotoxicity and tobramycin resistance

ABSTRACT: Purpose: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a motile species that initiates swarming motility in response to specific environmental cues, i.e., a semisolid surface with amino acids as a nitrogen source (relevant to the human lung). Swarming is an intricately regulated process, but to date post-transcriptional regulation has not been extensively investigated. Small non-coding RNAs (sRNA) are hypothesized to play post-transcriptional regulatory roles, largely through suppression of translation, and we previously demonstrated 20 sRNA species that were dysregulated under swarming conditions. Overexpressing these revealed one sRNA, PA0805.1, that when cloned, transformed into PAO1 WT and overexpressed led to broad phenotypic changes. Methods: The sRNA PA0805.1 was cloned and overexpressed in PAO1 WT. Phenotypic screens including motility, cytotoxicity and adherence assays were performed. RNA-Seq and proteomics were performed under swarming conditions compared to the empty vector strain to discover which genes were influenced by the overexpression of PA0805.1 Results: Phenotypic screens revealed that PA0805.1 resulted in reduced swarming, swimming and twitching motility, as well as increased adherence, cytotoxicity, and tobramycin resistance. A deletion mutant ∆PA0805.1 was supersusceptible to tobramycin under swarming conditions. The strain overexpressing PA0805.1 was compared to the empty vector strain by RNA-Seq and proteomics under swarming conditions to determine sRNA targets. Broad transcriptional and proteomic profiles were revealed, encompassing 1121 differentially expressed genes and 258 proteins with significantly different abundance. Importantly, these included 106 transcriptional regulators, two-component regulatory systems, sigma and anti-sigma factors. Downstream of these regulators were found downregulated type IV pilus genes, many upregulated adherence and virulence factors, and two multidrug efflux systems, mexXY and mexGHI-opmD. Conclusions: The sRNA PA0805.1 appears to regulate diverse bacterial lifestyles, most likely through a regulatory cascade.

ORGANISM(S): Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

PROVIDER: GSE137738 | GEO | 2020/04/28

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:PAO1 and FRD1 were cultured planktonically and in biofilms with 10 mM calcium and no added calcium. The transcriptional response to calcium addition was determined for PAO1 cultured planktonically, for FRD1 cultured planktonically, for PAO1 cutured in biofilms, and for FRD1 cultured in biofilms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes severe, life threatening infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), endocarditis, wounds, or with artificial implants. During CF pulmonary infections, P. aeruginosa often encounters environments where the levels of calcium (Ca2+) are elevated. Previously, we showed that P. aeruginosa responds to externally added Ca2+ through enhanced biofilm formation, increased production of several secreted virulence factors, and by developing a transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ followed by its removal to the basal sub-micromolar level. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating Ca2+-induced virulence factor production and Ca2+ homeostasis are not known. Here, we characterized the genome-wide transcriptional response of P. aeruginosa strains PAO1 and FRD1 to elevated [Ca2+] in both planktonic cultures and in biofilms. Among the genes induced by CaCl2 in PAO1 was an operon containing the two-component regulator PA2656-PA2657 (here called carS and carR), while the closely related two-component regulators, phoPQ and pmrAB were repressed by CaCl2 addition. To identify the regulatory targets of CarSR, we constructed a deletion mutant of carR, and performed transcriptome analysis of the mutant strain at low and high [Ca2+]. Among the genes regulated by CarSR in response to CaCl2 are the predicted periplasmic OB-fold protein, PA0320 and the inner membrane-anchored five-bladed -propeller protein, PA0327. Mutations in both PA0320 and PA0327 affected Ca2+ homeostasis, reducing the ability of P. aeruginosa to export excess Ca2+. In addition, a mutation in PA0327 had a pleotrophic effect in a Ca2+-dependent manner, altering swarming motility, pyocyanin production, and tobramycin sensitivity. Overall, the results indicate that the two-component system CarSR is responsible for sensing high levels of external Ca2+, and responding through its regulatory targets that modulate Ca2+ homeostasis, surface-associated motility, and production of the virulence factor, pyocyanin.

Project description:PAO1 was cultured planktonically to stationary phase with 10 mM calcium and no added calcium. The transcriptional response to calcium addition was determined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes severe, life threatening infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), endocarditis, wounds, or with artificial implants. During CF pulmonary infections, P. aeruginosa often encounters environments where the levels of calcium (Ca2+) are elevated. Previously, we showed that P. aeruginosa responds to externally added Ca2+ through enhanced biofilm formation, increased production of several secreted virulence factors, and by developing a transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ followed by its removal to the basal sub-micromolar level. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating Ca2+-induced virulence factor production and Ca2+ homeostasis are not known. Here, we characterized the genome-wide transcriptional response of P. aeruginosa strains PAO1 and FRD1 to elevated [Ca2+] in both planktonic cultures and in biofilms. Among the genes induced by CaCl2 in PAO1 was an operon containing the two-component regulator PA2656-PA2657 (here called carS and carR), while the closely related two-component regulators, phoPQ and pmrAB were repressed by CaCl2 addition. To identify the regulatory targets of CarSR, we constructed a deletion mutant of carR, and performed transcriptome analysis of the mutant strain at low and high [Ca2+]. Among the genes regulated by CarSR in response to CaCl2 are the predicted periplasmic OB-fold protein, PA0320 and the inner membrane-anchored five-bladed -propeller protein, PA0327. Mutations in both PA0320 and PA0327 affected Ca2+ homeostasis, reducing the ability of P. aeruginosa to export excess Ca2+. In addition, a mutation in PA0327 had a pleotrophic effect in a Ca2+-dependent manner, altering swarming motility, pyocyanin production, and tobramycin sensitivity. Overall, the results indicate that the two-component system CarSR is responsible for sensing high levels of external Ca2+, and responding through its regulatory targets that modulate Ca2+ homeostasis, surface-associated motility, and production of the virulence factor, pyocyanin.

Dataset Information

Overexpression of the small RNA PA0805.1 modulates the expression of a large set of genes and proteins, resulting in altered motility, cytotoxicity and tobramycin resistance

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure