Effect of PEL exopolysaccharide on the wspF mutant phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that produces and secretes exopolysaccharides (EPS), in which cells are embedded to form a highly organized community structure called biofilm. Here, we characterized the role of cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and EPS (PEL) overproduction in the wspF mutant phenotypes of P. aeruginosa PA14 (wrinkly appearance, hyperadherence, impaired motilities, and reduced virulence in acute infections). We confirmed that the elevated c-di-GMP level plays a key role in all the wspF mutant phenotypes listed above, as assessed by ectopic expression of a c-di-GMP-degrading phophodiesterase (PvrR) in the wspF mutant. In contrast, PEL EPS, which is overproduced in the wspF mutant, was necessary for wrinkly appearance and hyperadherence, but not for the impaired flagellar motilities and the attenuated virulence of the wspF mutant. These results suggest that cdi- GMP affects flagellar motility and virulence, independently of EPS production and surface adherence of this bacterium.
Chung
In-Young
IY
Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Kelly B
KB
Heo
Yun-Jeong
YJ
Cho
You-Hee
YH
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D004950:Esterases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014774:Virulence
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; C062025:bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid; D004950:Esterases; D006152:Cyclic GMP