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A PilZ domain protein interacts with the transcriptional regulator HinK to regulate type VI secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Source :
-
Journal of Biological Chemistry . Mar2024, Vol. 300 Issue 3, p1-14. 14p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are bacterial macromolecular complexes that secrete effectors into target cells or the extracellular environment, leading to the demise of adjacent cells and providing a survival advantage. Although studies have shown that the T6SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is regulated by the Quorum Sensing system and second messenger c-di-GMP, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that the c-di-GMPbinding adaptor protein PA0012 has a repressive effect on the expression of the T6SS HSI-I genes in P. aeruginosa PAO1. To probe the mechanism by which PA0012 (renamed TssZ, Type Six Secretion System -associated PilZ protein) regulates the expression of HSI-I genes, we conducted yeast two-hybrid screening and identified HinK, a LasR-type transcriptional regulator, as the binding partner of TssZ. The protein-protein interaction between HinK and TssZ was confirmed through coimmunoprecipitation assays. Further analysis suggested that the HinK-TssZ interaction was weakened at high c-di-GMP concentrations, contrary to the current paradigm wherein c-di-GMP enhances the interaction between PilZ proteins and their partners. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the non-c-di-GMP-binding mutant TssZR5A/R9A interacts directly with HinK and prevents it from binding to the promoter of the quorum-sensing regulator pqsR. The functional connection between TssZ and HinK is further supported by observations that TssZ and HinK impact the swarming motility, pyocyanin production, and T6SS-mediated bacterial killing activity of P. aeruginosa in a PqsR-dependent manner. Together, these results unveil a novel regulatory mechanism wherein TssZ functions as an inhibitor that interacts with HinK to control gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00219258
- Volume :
- 300
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 176571983
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105741