title: Hfq influences multiple transport systems and virulence in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
abstract: The Hfq protein mediates gene regulation by small RNAs (sRNAs) in about 50% of all bacteria. Depending on the species, phenotypic defects of an hfq mutant range from mild to severe. Here, we document that the purified Hfq protein of the plant pathogen and natural genetic engineer Agrobacterium tumefaciens binds to the previously described sRNA AbcR1 and its target mRNA atu2422, which codes for the substrate binding protein of an ABC transporter taking up proline and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Several other ABC transporter components were overproduced in an hfq mutant compared to their levels in the parental strain, suggesting that Hfq plays a major role in controlling the uptake systems and metabolic versatility of A. tumefaciens. The hfq mutant showed delayed growth, altered cell morphology, and reduced motility. Although the DNA-transferring type IV secretion system was produced, tumor formation by the mutant strain was attenuated, demonstrating an important contribution of Hfq to plant transformation by A. tumefaciens.
authors: Lehrstuhl für Biologie der Mikroorganismen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Ina
authors: I
authors: Wilms
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Möller
authors: Anna-Maria
authors: AM
authors: Stock
authors: Rosemarie
authors: R
authors: Gurski
authors: Erh-Min
authors: EM
authors: Lai
authors: Franz
authors: F
authors: Narberhaus
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016960:Agrobacterium tumefaciens / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001692:Biological Transport; D002633:Chemotaxis; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009068:Movement; D009154:Mutation; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger