MexT modulates virulence determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa independent of the MexEF-OprN efflux pump. 2009

Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

In the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the LysR-family regulator MexT modulates the induction of the tripartite MexEF-OprN resistance nodulation-division multi-drug efflux system resulting in increased resistance to diverse antibiotics. The MexEF-OprN system is normally quiescent in wild-type cells, but is highly induced in nfxC-type phenotypic mutants in a MexT dependent manner. In addition to antibiotic resistance, induction of mexEF-oprN in nfxC-type mutants has been linked to reduced levels of homoserine lactone-dependent virulence traits, including pyocyanin, elastase, rhamnolipids and PQS and to reduced expression of type three secretion effector proteins. In this study, MexT is overexpressed in wild-type PAO1 and an isogenic mexEF deletion mutant to determine if MexT regulates diverse virulence phenotypes dependent or independent of MexEF-OprN. It is shown that MexT regulates type three secretion, pyocyanin production and early surface attachment independent of MexEF-OprN. In contrast, MexT modulation of the expression of the virulence genes rhlA, lasB and hcnB is dependent on MexEF-OprN, which apparently mediates these effects via efflux of cell-signaling intermediates. The data presented demonstrates that MexT may play a more global role in modulating P. aeruginosa virulence than previously reported and suggests that MexT regulates diverse targets that mediate phenotypic alterations independent of MexEF-OprN.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D011550 Pseudomonas aeruginosa A species of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens (wound, burn, and urinary tract infections). It is also found widely distributed in soil and water. P. aeruginosa is a major agent of nosocomial infection. Bacillus aeruginosus,Bacillus pyocyaneus,Bacterium aeruginosum,Bacterium pyocyaneum,Micrococcus pyocyaneus,Pseudomonas polycolor,Pseudomonas pyocyanea
D011709 Pyocins Bacteriocins elaborated by mutant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They are protein or protein-lipopolysaccharide complexes lethal to other strains of the same or related species. Pyocin,Pyocin 1-4,Pyocin 103,Pyocin F 1,Pyocin F 2,Pyocin F 3,Pyocin P 3,Pyocin R,Pyocin R 1,Pyocin R 2,Pyocin R1,Pyocin S 2,Pyocin 1 4
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001422 Bacterial Adhesion Physicochemical property of fimbriated (FIMBRIAE, BACTERIAL) and non-fimbriated bacteria of attaching to cells, tissue, and nonbiological surfaces. It is a factor in bacterial colonization and pathogenicity. Adhesion, Bacterial,Adhesions, Bacterial,Bacterial Adhesions
D014157 Transcription Factors Endogenous substances, usually proteins, which are effective in the initiation, stimulation, or termination of the genetic transcription process. Transcription Factor,Factor, Transcription,Factors, Transcription
D014774 Virulence The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS. Pathogenicity
D015870 Gene Expression The phenotypic manifestation of a gene or genes by the processes of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and GENETIC TRANSLATION. Expression, Gene,Expressions, Gene,Gene Expressions
D015964 Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial Any of the processes by which cytoplasmic or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in bacteria. Bacterial Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Bacterial,Regulation, Gene Expression, Bacterial
D017353 Gene Deletion A genetic rearrangement through loss of segments of DNA or RNA, bringing sequences which are normally separated into close proximity. This deletion may be detected using cytogenetic techniques and can also be inferred from the phenotype, indicating a deletion at one specific locus. Deletion, Gene,Deletions, Gene,Gene Deletions

Related Publications

Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
January 2011, PloS one,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
April 2013, Microbiology and immunology,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
November 2000, FEMS microbiology letters,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
October 2010, FEMS microbiology letters,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
February 2024, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
February 2011, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
March 2000, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
April 2004, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
September 2021, Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland),
Zhe-Xian Tian, and Micheál Mac Aogáin, and Hazel F O'Connor, and Emilie Fargier, and Marlies J Mooij, and Claire Adams, and Yi-Ping Wang, and Fergal O'Gara
July 2014, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
Copied contents to your clipboard!