title: The BCESM genomic region contains a regulator involved in quorum sensing and persistence in Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the function of BCAM0257-8-9 located in the BCESM region of the Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 genome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differential RNA sequencing was used to determine transcription start sites. The phenotype of overexpression mutants was studied and a transcriptome analysis of the BCAM0258 overexpression mutant was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BCAM0257 and BCAM0258 were identified as belonging to an operon, positively regulated by BCAM0259. We found that this operon is involved in persistence and that BCAM0258 functions as a regulator influencing quorum sensing and activating pathways related to iron acquisition and biofilm formation. Overexpression of BCAM0257 increased virulence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BCESM genomic region contains an operon that contributes to quorum sensing and is involved in persistence, biofilm formation and virulence. BCAM0257-8-9 is found in all sequenced B. cenocepacia ET12 genomes and these results may help explain why infections with strains of the B. cenocepacia ET12 lineage are difficult to treat.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Acker
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Canck
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Nieuwerburgh
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sass
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deforce
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nelis
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coenye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019121:Burkholderia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D057508:Burkholderia cenocepacia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D005819:Genetic Markers; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D009036:Moths; D009876:Operon; D053038:Quorum Sensing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: BCESM; Burkholderia; TA-modules; biofilm; persistence; quorum sensing