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Two-Component System Response Regulator ompR Regulates Mussel Settlement through Exopolysaccharides
Wei Ma1,2, Xiaoyu Wang1,2, Wen Zhang1,2
1International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 28, 2023
Summary
The study reveals that the ompR gene regulates biofilm formation in Pseudoalteromonas marina, impacting mussel settlement. Deleting ompR reduces biofilm capacity and polysaccharide production.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Marine Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are key biofilm components in Gram-negative bacteria.
- The role of OMPs in mollusc settlement remains poorly understood.
- Bacterial biofilms play a crucial role in marine invertebrate settlement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the ompR gene in Pseudoalteromonas marina biofilm formation.
- To determine the effect of ompR on mussel (Mytilus coruscus) settlement.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of bacterial biofilm development.
Main Methods:
- Gene knockout of ompR in Pseudoalteromonas marina.
- Assessing bacterial motility and biofilm-forming capacity.
- Quantifying extracellular polysaccharide production (α- and β-polysaccharides).
- Analyzing gene expression (ompW, envZ) and cyclic di-GMP levels.
- Evaluating the effect of recombinant OmpW protein on biofilm activity.
Main Results:
- Deletion of ompR increased bacterial motility but decreased biofilm formation.
- Extracellular α- and β-polysaccharide production significantly decreased in the ΔompR strain.
- The ΔompR strain's biofilms showed reduced induction of plantigrade settlement.
- ompR inactivation downregulated ompW expression without affecting envZ or c-di-GMP levels.
- Recombinant OmpW protein restored biofilm-inducing activity and exopolysaccharide production.
Conclusions:
- The ompR gene is essential for Pseudoalteromonas marina biofilm formation and subsequent mussel settlement.
- OmpW is a key downstream effector regulated by OmpR in this process.
- This study enhances understanding of bacterial two-component systems and benthic animal settlement.
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