1887

Abstract

The exopolyphosphatase (Ppx) of is encoded by the PA5241 gene (). Ppx catalyses the hydrolysis of inorganic polyphosphates to orthophosphate (P). In the present work, we identified and characterized the promoter region of and its regulation under environmental stress conditions. The role of Ppx in the production of several virulence factors was demonstrated through studies performed on a null mutant. We found that is under the control of two interspaced promoters, dually regulated by nitrogen and phosphate limitation. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, its expression was controlled from a σ-dependent promoter activated by the response regulator NtrC. However, under P limitation, the expression was controlled from a σ promoter, activated by PhoB. Results obtained from the null mutant demonstrated that Ppx is involved in the production of virulence factors associated with both acute infection (e.g. motility-promoting factors, blue/green pigment production, C6–C12 quorum-sensing homoserine lactones) and chronic infection (e.g. rhamnolipids, biofilm formation). Molecular and physiological approaches used in this study indicated that maintains consistently proper levels of Ppx regardless of environmental conditions. The precise control of expression appeared to be essential for the survival of and the occurrence of either acute or chronic infection in the host.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • SECYT-UNRC
  • MinCyT-Cba
  • CONICET, Argentina
  • DGAPA
  • UNAM
  • CONACyT, México
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2014-02-01
2024-03-29
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