An RNA sponge controls quorum sensing dynamics and biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae

Michaela Huber, Anne Lippegaus, Sahar Melamed, Malte Siemers, Benjamin R. Wucher, Mona Hoyos, Carey Nadell, Gisela Storz, Kai Papenfort

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) acting in concert with the RNA chaperone Hfq are prevalent in many bacteria and typically act by base-pairing with multiple target transcripts. In the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae, sRNAs play roles in various processes including antibiotic tolerance, competence, and quorum sensing (QS). Here, we use RIL-seq (RNA-interaction-by-ligation-and-sequencing) to identify Hfq-interacting sRNAs and their targets in V. cholerae. We find hundreds of sRNA-mRNA interactions, as well as RNA duplexes formed between two sRNA regulators. Further analysis of these duplexes identifies an RNA sponge, termed QrrX, that base-pairs with and inactivates the Qrr1-4 sRNAs, which are known to modulate the QS pathway. Transcription of qrrX is activated by QrrT, a previously uncharacterized LysR-type transcriptional regulator. Our results indicate that QrrX and QrrT are required for rapid conversion from individual to community behaviours in V. cholerae.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7585
JournalNature Communications
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Dec 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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