The BCESM genomic region contains a regulator involved in quorum sensing and persistence in Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Dieter Deforce; Filip Van Nieuwerburgh; Hans Nelis; Heleen Van Acker; Tom Coenye; Andrea Sass; Evelien De Canck
- Source
- Future Microbiology. 9:845-860
- Subject
- Genetic Markers
Microbiology (medical)
Burkholderia cenocepacia
Operon
Virulence
Moths
Microbiology
Genome
Transcriptome
Bacterial Proteins
Genes, Regulator
Animals
Humans
biology
Biofilm
Quorum Sensing
Burkholderia Infections
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Genomics
biology.organism_classification
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Quorum sensing
Burkholderia
- Language
- ISSN
- 1746-0921
1746-0913
ABSTRACT: Aim: In this study, we investigated the function of BCAM0257-8-9 located in the BCESM region of the Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 genome. Materials & 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. Conclusion: 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.