Regulation of Burkholderia cenocepacia biofilm formation by RpoN and the c-di-GMP effector BerB

TY - JOUR

T1 - Regulation of Burkholderia cenocepacia biofilm formation by RpoN and the c-di-GMP effector BerB

AU - Fazli, Mustafa

AU - Rybtke, Morten Levin

AU - Steiner, Elisabeth

AU - Weidel, Elisabeth

AU - Berthelsen, Jens

AU - Groizeleau, Julie Dora Dona

AU - Bin, Wu

AU - Zhi, Boo Zhao

AU - Yaming, Zhang

AU - Kaever, Volkhard

AU - Givskov, Michael

AU - Hartmann, Rolf W

AU - Eberl, Leo

AU - Tolker-Nielsen, Tim

N1 - © 2017 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2017/8

Y1 - 2017/8

N2 - Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of biofilm formation is essential for the development of biofilm-control measures. It is well established that the nucleotide second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a positive regulator of biofilm formation in many bacteria, but more knowledge about c-di-GMP effectors is needed. We provide evidence that c-di-GMP, the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ54), and the enhancer-binding protein BerB play a role in biofilm formation of Burkholderia cenocepacia by regulating the production of a biofilm-stabilizing exopolysaccharide. Our findings suggest that BerB binds c-di-GMP, and activates RpoN-dependent transcription of the berA gene coding for a c-di-GMP-responsive transcriptional regulator. An increased level of the BerA protein in turn induces the production of biofilm-stabilizing exopolysaccharide in response to high c-di-GMP levels. Our findings imply that the production of biofilm exopolysaccharide in B. cenocepacia is regulated through a cascade involving two consecutive transcription events that are both activated by c-di-GMP. This type of regulation may allow tight control of the expenditure of cellular resources.

AB - Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of biofilm formation is essential for the development of biofilm-control measures. It is well established that the nucleotide second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a positive regulator of biofilm formation in many bacteria, but more knowledge about c-di-GMP effectors is needed. We provide evidence that c-di-GMP, the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ54), and the enhancer-binding protein BerB play a role in biofilm formation of Burkholderia cenocepacia by regulating the production of a biofilm-stabilizing exopolysaccharide. Our findings suggest that BerB binds c-di-GMP, and activates RpoN-dependent transcription of the berA gene coding for a c-di-GMP-responsive transcriptional regulator. An increased level of the BerA protein in turn induces the production of biofilm-stabilizing exopolysaccharide in response to high c-di-GMP levels. Our findings imply that the production of biofilm exopolysaccharide in B. cenocepacia is regulated through a cascade involving two consecutive transcription events that are both activated by c-di-GMP. This type of regulation may allow tight control of the expenditure of cellular resources.

U2 - 10.1002/mbo3.480

DO - 10.1002/mbo3.480

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28419759

SN - 2045-8827

VL - 6

JO - MicrobiologyOpen

JF - MicrobiologyOpen

IS - 4

M1 - e00480

ER -