Function of the bacteriophytochrome BphP in the RpoS/Las quorum-sensing network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Microbiology (Reading). 2011 Jun;157(Pt 6):1651-1664. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.049007-0. Epub 2011 Mar 17.

Abstract

The bacterial phytochrome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaBphP) is an in vitro-active red/far-red light sensor histidine kinase of a two-component regulatory system. Despite solid biochemical data, its function in this heterotrophic, opportunistic pathogen is still unknown. Previous studies established that the genes encoding the two necessary phytochrome components BphO, a chromophore-producing haem oxygenase, and BphP, the apo-phytochrome, are co-transcribed in a bicistronic operon. Transcription has been shown to be induced in the stationary phase and to be dependent on the alternative sigma factor RpoS. Here we show an additional regulation of bphP expression through the quorum-sensing (QS) regulator LasR. This regulation is also reflected in a combination of expression profile experiments and proteome analyses of wild-type and phytochrome-deficient strains. While PaBphP has a pleiotropic effect on global gene expression, 66 % of the downregulated genes in the phytochrome mutant display a link to the Las QS system. Most of these genes seem to be indirectly regulated by LasR through BphP and the unknown response regulator BphR. A model of phytochrome function within the Las QS network is presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Phytochrome / genetics
  • Phytochrome / metabolism*
  • Proteome
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / growth & development*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism
  • Quorum Sensing*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sigma Factor / genetics
  • Sigma Factor / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • LasR protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Proteome
  • Sigma Factor
  • Trans-Activators
  • sigma factor KatF protein, Bacteria
  • Phytochrome