Work

Mutational Analysis of Vibrio fischeri c-di-GMP-Modulating Genes Reveals Complex Regulation of Motility

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Critical bacterial processes, including motility, are influenced by c-di-GMP, which is controlled by environment-responsive synthetic and degradative enzymes. Because bacteria such as Vibrio fischeri use motility to colonize their hosts, understanding the roles of c-di-GMP-modulating enzymes in controlling motility has the potential to inform on microbe-host interactions. We leveraged recent advances in genetic manipulation to generate 50 mutants defective for putative c-di-GMP synthetic and degradative enzymes. We then assessed the consequences on motility, manipulating levels of magnesium and calcium, which inversely influenced motility and levels of c-di-GMP. Distinct subsets of the 50 genes were required under the different conditions. Our data thus provide needed insight into the functions of these enzymes and environmental factors that influence them.

Source: Journal of Bacteriology

DOI: 10.1128/jb.00109-22

Authors: Prerana Shrestha, Ali Razvi, Brittany L. Fung, Steven J. Eichinger, Karen L. Visick

Institution: Loyola University Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Host-associated biofilm formation and dispersal mechanisms