No detectable effect of RNA-binding protein Hfq absence in Staphylococcus aureus.
BACKGROUND
The RNA-binding protein Hfq is involved in stress and virulence of several pathogens, probably due to its role as mediator in small RNA (sRNA)-mRNA interactions. In this study, we investigate the function of Hfq in the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, by constructing hfq null mutant derivatives.


RESULTS
We report that unexpectedly, in S. aureus, Hfq does not seem to play a crucial role in stress response, RNAIII or spa mRNA quantity and exoprotein expression, as tested in three virulent genetic backgrounds. Moreover, a global analysis of the RN6390 hfq mutant, which tests approximately 2000 phenotypes, supports our results concerning the non-implication of Hfq in stress response, and shows that Hfq is also not involved in resistance to several chemical agents and antibiotics and does not seem to be implicated in metabolic pathways.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that although sRNA-mRNA interactions in S. aureus are decisive for gene expression regulation, they do not require the RNA-chaperone protein Hfq. These interactions possibly require an RNA-chaperone protein other than Hfq, which remains to be found.
Bohn
Chantal
C
Signalisation et Réseaux de Régulations Bactériens, Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, CNRS/UMR 8621, Centre scientifique d'Orsay, Université Paris Sud, Orsay Cedex, France. chantal.bohn@igmors.u-psud.fr <chantal.bohn@igmors.u-psud.fr>
Rigoulay
Candice
C
Bouloc
Philippe
P
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D020868:Gene Silencing; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C096035:RNAIII, Staphylococcus aureus; D037521:Virulence Factors