The two-component sensor KinB acts as a phosphatase to regulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence

J Bacteriol. 2012 Dec;194(23):6537-47. doi: 10.1128/JB.01168-12. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is capable of causing both acute and chronic infections. P. aeruginosa virulence is subject to sophisticated regulatory control by two-component systems that enable it to sense and respond to environmental stimuli. We recently reported that the two-component sensor KinB regulates virulence in acute P. aeruginosa infection. Furthermore, it regulates acute-virulence-associated phenotypes such as pyocyanin production, elastase production, and motility in a manner independent of its kinase activity. Here we show that KinB regulates virulence through the global sigma factor AlgU, which plays a key role in repressing P. aeruginosa acute-virulence factors, and through its cognate response regulator AlgB. However, we show that rather than phosphorylating AlgB, KinB's primary role in the regulation of virulence is to act as a phosphatase to dephosphorylate AlgB and alleviate phosphorylated AlgB's repression of acute virulence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / enzymology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity
  • Virulence
  • Virulence Factors / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Virulence Factors
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases