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Regulatory Interactions among adhesin gene systems of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Stina Lindberg1, Yan Xia, Berit Sondén

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, S-90187 Umeå, Sweden.

Infection and Immunity
|November 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Regulatory proteins PapB and FocB in uropathogenic E. coli can form complexes that repress F1C fimbriae expression. This study reveals a regulatory hierarchy for adhesin gene systems in E. coli.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) utilizes fimbrial adhesins for host colonization.
  • The regulatory protein PapB is known to influence P fimbriae expression.
  • The F1C fimbria determinant contains the focB gene, homologous to papB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of PapB and FocB in regulating F1C fimbriae.
  • To elucidate the interaction and regulatory mechanisms of PapB and FocB.
  • To understand their impact on adhesin gene expression in UPEC.

Main Methods:

  • Gel mobility shift assays to study protein-DNA binding.
  • In vitro cross-linking and in vivo oligomerization tests for protein complex formation.
  • Analysis of FocB's effect on F1C and type 1 fimbriae expression.

Main Results:

  • FocB binds to regulatory sequences in both pap and foc operons.
  • FocB demonstrates oligomeric behavior and forms heterodimers with PapB.
  • PapB-FocB heterodimers repress the expression of the foc operon.

Conclusions:

  • PapB and FocB play crucial roles in the regulatory network of UPEC adhesins.
  • A hierarchical regulation of fimbrial adhesin expression exists in UPEC.
  • Understanding these interactions provides insights into UPEC virulence mechanisms.

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