Altered Yersinia pestis virulence is associated with the small regulatory RNA HmsA encoded on the plasmid pPCP1

Future Microbiol. 2020 Sep:15:1207-1215. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0319.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to access the effect of HmsA, a 65-nt small regulatory RNA encoded by the pPCP1 plasmid, on Yersinia pestis virulence. Materials & methods: Survival and the competition index were determined in mice infected with wild-type Y. pestis and an hmsA deletion mutant. RNA-seq was used to identify HmsA-regulated genes. Results: HmsA deletion enhanced Y. pestis virulence. However, there was no overlap between 18 upregulated genes associated with pathogenicity and potential direct HmsA targets, based on gene expression screening after HmsA-pulse overexpression. Conclusion: HmsA inhibits Y. pestis virulence, but this effect may be mediated by indirect effects on pathogenesis, iron homeostasis and/or other cellular processes.

Keywords: HmsA; Yersinia pestis; pathogenesis; sRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Plague / microbiology
  • Plasmids / genetics*
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Yersinia pestis / genetics
  • Yersinia pestis / metabolism
  • Yersinia pestis / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Small Untranslated