Global small RNA chaperone Hfq and regulatory small RNAs are important virulence regulators in Erwinia amylovora

J Bacteriol. 2013 Apr;195(8):1706-17. doi: 10.1128/JB.02056-12. Epub 2013 Feb 1.

Abstract

Hfq is a global small RNA (sRNA) chaperone that interacts with Hfq-regulated sRNAs and functions in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. In this work, we identified Hfq to be a virulence regulator in the Gram-negative fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. Deletion of hfq in E. amylovora Ea1189 significantly reduced bacterial virulence in both immature pear fruits and apple shoots. Analysis of virulence determinants in strain Ea1189Δhfq showed that Hfq exerts pleiotropic regulation of amylovoran exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, motility, and the type III secretion system (T3SS). Further characterization of biofilm regulation by Hfq demonstrated that Hfq limits bacterial attachment to solid surfaces while promoting biofilm maturation. Characterization of T3SS regulation by Hfq revealed that Hfq positively regulates the translocation and secretion of the major type III effector DspE and negatively controls the secretion of the putative translocator HrpK and the type III effector Eop1. Lastly, 10 Hfq-regulated sRNAs were identified using a computational method, and two of these sRNAs, RprA and RyhA, were found to be required for the full virulence of E. amylovora.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Down-Regulation
  • Erwinia amylovora / genetics
  • Erwinia amylovora / metabolism
  • Erwinia amylovora / pathogenicity*
  • Erwinia amylovora / ultrastructure
  • Fruit / microbiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Host Factor 1 Protein / genetics
  • Host Factor 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Malus / microbiology
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Plant Leaves / microbiology
  • Pyrus / microbiology
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Host Factor 1 Protein
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • RNA, Bacterial

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KC357251
  • GENBANK/KC357252