Project description:Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a commensal microorganism of the normal human nasopharyngeal flora, yet also an opportunistic pathogen of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Changes in gene expression patterns in response to host microenvironments are likely critical for survival. One such system of gene regulation is the ability to carefully regulate iron uptake. A central regulatory system that controls iron uptake, mediated by the ferric uptake regulator Fur, is present in multiple bacteria, including NTHi. Previous work has identified a small RNA, HrrF, that is Fur-regulated in NTHi 86-028NPrpsL.To understand the contribution made by HrrF to gene regulation in NTHi, hrrF was deleted in the NTHi strain 86-028NPrpsL∆fur. Using RNA-Seq, we identified protein-encoding genes whose expression was repressed or activated by HrrF.
