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Evolutionary relationships among virulence-associated histidine kinases
F S Brinkman1, E L Macfarlane, P Warrener
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Infection and Immunity
|July 12, 2001
Summary
Phylogenetic analysis revealed horizontal gene transfer between fungi and bacteria, leading to shared virulence-associated sensor histidine kinases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa GacS shows functional overlap with fungal kinases, impacting bacterial virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Virulence-associated sensor histidine kinases play crucial roles in fungal and bacterial pathogenesis.
- A conserved relationship exists between fungal histidine kinases and those found in Streptomyces coelicolor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of virulence-associated sensor histidine kinases.
- To explore the functional roles and evolutionary relationships of Pseudomonas aeruginosa GacS.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis was employed to trace the evolutionary history of histidine kinases.
- Functional assays were conducted to assess the roles of GacS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis suggests horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes involving histidine kinase ancestors.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa GacS was identified as orthologous to Streptomyces histidine kinases.
- GacS is crucial for swarming motility, lipase production, and virulence in a mouse model.
- GacS exhibits partial functional overlap with the histidine kinase PhoQ.
Conclusions:
- Horizontal gene transfer has shaped the evolution of virulence-associated histidine kinases across kingdoms.
- The Pseudomonas aeruginosa GacS protein represents a key virulence factor with conserved and novel functions.