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Nlp enhances biofilm formation by Yersinia pestis biovar microtus

Lei Liu1, Yingyu He2, Huiying Yang3

  • 1Department of Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|June 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Yersinia pestis biofilms block fleas, aiding pathogen transmission. This study identifies Nlp (YP1143) as a key protein that significantly enhances Y. pestis biofilm formation and regulates associated genes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Yersinia pestis forms biofilms that obstruct flea proventriculus, facilitating plague transmission to mammals.
  • Understanding Y. pestis biofilm regulation is crucial for controlling disease spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Nlp (YP1143) in Yersinia pestis biofilm formation.
  • To elucidate the regulatory effects of Nlp on biofilm-associated genes at the transcriptional level.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic assays including colony morphology, crystal violet staining, and Caenorhabditis elegans biofilm assays were performed.
  • Gene expression analysis was conducted to assess the transcriptional effects of Nlp on specific biofilm genes (hmsHFRS, hmsCDE, hmsB, hmsT, hmsP).

Main Results:

  • Nlp (YP1143) was confirmed to strongly promote biofilm formation by Y. pestis.
  • Nlp significantly stimulated the transcription of hmsHFRS, hmsCDE, and hmsB genes.
  • Nlp did not exhibit regulatory effects on the transcription of hmsT and hmsP genes.

Conclusions:

  • Nlp plays a significant role in enhancing Yersinia pestis biofilm formation.
  • Nlp influences Y. pestis biofilm development through transcriptional regulation of specific hms genes.
  • These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling Y. pestis biofilms.
Keywords:
BiofilmNlpRegulationYersinia pestis

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