Role of DegQ in differential stability of flagellin subunits in Vibrio vulnificus

NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2021 Apr 8;7(1):32. doi: 10.1038/s41522-021-00206-7.

Abstract

Biofilm formation of Vibrio vulnificus is initiated by adherence of flagellated cells to surfaces, and then flagellum-driven motility is not necessary during biofilm maturation. Once matured biofilms are constructed, cells become flagellated and swim to disperse from biofilms. As a consequence, timely regulations of the flagellar components' expression are crucial to complete a biofilm life-cycle. In this study, we demonstrated that flagellins' production is regulated in a biofilm stage-specific manner, via activities of a protease DegQ and a chaperone FlaJ. Among four flagellin subunits for V. vulnificus filament, FlaC had the highest affinities to hook-associated proteins, and is critical for maturating flagellum, showed the least susceptibility to DegQ due to the presence of methionine residues in its DegQ-sensitive domains, ND1 and CD0. Therefore, differential regulation by DegQ and FlaJ controls the cytoplasmic stability of flagellins, which further determines the motility-dependent, stage-specific development of biofilms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Flagella / physiology
  • Flagellin / chemistry
  • Flagellin / genetics
  • Flagellin / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Stability
  • Protein Subunits*
  • Proteolysis
  • Vibrio vulnificus / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • Flagellin