title: Several Hfq-dependent alterations in physiology of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 are mediated by derepression of the transcriptional regulator RovM.
abstract: In bacteria, the RNA chaperone Hfq enables pairing of small regulatory RNAs with their target mRNAs and therefore is a key player of post-transcriptional regulation network. As a global regulator, Hfq is engaged in the adaptation to external environment, regulation of metabolism and bacterial virulence. In this study we used RNA-sequencing and quantitative proteomics (LC-MS/MS) to elucidate the role of this chaperone in the physiology and virulence of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3. This global approach revealed the profound impact of Hfq on gene and protein expression. Furthermore, the role of Hfq in the cell morphology, metabolism, cell wall integrity, resistance to external stresses and pathogenicity was evaluated. Importantly, our results revealed that several alterations typical for the hfq-negative phenotype were due to derepression of the transcriptional factor RovM. The overexpression of RovM caused by the loss of Hfq chaperone resulted in extended growth defect, alterations in the lipid A structure, motility and biofilm formation defects, as well as changes in mannitol utilization. Furthermore, in Y. enterocolitica RovM only in the presence of Hfq affected the abundance of RpoS. Finally, the impact of hfq and rovM mutations on the virulence was assessed in the mouse infection model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Medicum, Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leskinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Medicum, Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Pajunen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki.|Biocentrum Helsinki, Finland: Finnish Institute of Molecular Medicine, Finland.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varjosalo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fernández-Carrasco
authors.affiliation: Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bengoechea
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Medicum, Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.|Division of Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8791-9260
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skurnik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000382:microbiology; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008050:Lipid A / Q000378:metabolism; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics; D040901:Proteomics; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics*; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D035001:Host Factor 1 Protein; D008050:Lipid A; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D020543:Proteome; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; C069567:sigma factor KatF protein, Bacteria; D008353:Mannitol