title: A natural antisense transcript regulates mucD gene expression and biofilm biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are naturally widespread and have very important functions in regulating expression of their target genes. In this report, we identified a novel NAT, designated mucD-AS, transcribed from the opposite strand ofmucD gene locus, which has a pivotal function in regulating the biosynthesis of alginate. For the biotechnological and medical significance in the study of alginate biosynthesis, we investigated the effect ofmucD-AS on mucD expression and alginate biosynthesis, and confirmed mucD-AS can induce biofilm formation ofP. aeruginosa significantly. Since alginate has a key function in the infection process and acts as virulence factor of P. aeruginosa, we speculate mucD-AS may have a regulatory function in this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Third Military Medical University, Key Lab of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Chong Qing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Xiancai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Fuquan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012808:Sigma Factor; D037521:Virulence Factors; C079994:algN protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D020723:Glucuronic Acid