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Applying an Inducible Expression System to Study Interference of Bacterial Virulence Factors with Intracellular Signaling
Published on: June 25, 2015
Rho-dependent transcription termination regulates the toxin-antitoxin modules of cryptic prophages to silence their
Mohammed Hafeezunnisa1,2, Passong Immanual R Chhakchhuak1,3, Janani Krishnakumar1
1Laboratory of Transcription, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India.
Abstract:
Bacterial Rho-dependent transcription termination regulates many physiological processes. Here, we report that it controls the expression of toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules of cryptic prophages in E. coli. Microarray profiles of Rho mutants showed upregulation of genes of the CP4-6 and CP4-44 prophages, including their TA modules, that were validated by RT-qPCR. Analysis of the in vivo termination efficiency and the mRNA sequences of these prophages revealed the presence of many Rho-dependent terminators. The prophage TA modules exhibited synthetic lethality with the Rho mutants, indicating functional involvement of Rho-dependent termination in controlling these modules. Rho-dependent termination does not regulate most of the chromosomal TA modules. We conclude that Rho-dependent termination specifically silences the TA modules of prophages, thereby augmenting bacterial innate immunity.
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