Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida

LexA is a well-known transcriptional repressor of DNA repair genes induced by DNA damage in Escherichia coli and other bacterial species. Recently, this paradigm—that LexA solely regulates the SOS response—has been challenged as studies reveal its involvement in various biological functions linked t...

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Main Authors: Rongchao He, Yanfei Zuo, Qiu Li, Qingpi Yan, Lixing Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Microbial Sciences
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000136
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author Rongchao He
Yanfei Zuo
Qiu Li
Qingpi Yan
Lixing Huang
author_facet Rongchao He
Yanfei Zuo
Qiu Li
Qingpi Yan
Lixing Huang
author_sort Rongchao He
collection DOAJ
description LexA is a well-known transcriptional repressor of DNA repair genes induced by DNA damage in Escherichia coli and other bacterial species. Recently, this paradigm—that LexA solely regulates the SOS response—has been challenged as studies reveal its involvement in various biological functions linked to virulence. Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, a major pathogen in mariculture, causes substantial economic losses annually in China. Our previous research suggested that LexA might collaboratively regulate virulence gene expression with HtpG during infection. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which LexA controls virulence gene expression. We employed an array of methods including molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking, ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, mass spectrometry, gene mutagenesis, LacZ reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and in vitro LexA degradation experiments. Our findings identified 36 downstream virulence genes regulated by LexA, define three critical LexA binding motifs, and provide an in-depth analysis of LexA's recognition and binding to promoters, thereby regulating virulence gene expression. Additionally, we confirm the cooperative regulatory roles of HtpG, RecA, and LexA in virulence gene modulation. This is the first report of an endogenous accessory factor aiding in the binding of LexA to DNA. This study enhances our understanding of LexA's role in virulence regulation and offers a valuable theoretical and practical foundation for disease prevention and control.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2666-5174
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
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spelling doaj-art-bbca060b69cc473eb97d3690de30a18e2025-02-03T04:16:58ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Microbial Sciences2666-51742025-01-018100351Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicidaRongchao He0Yanfei Zuo1Qiu Li2Qingpi Yan3Lixing Huang4Fisheries College, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR ChinaFisheries College, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR ChinaFisheries College, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR ChinaFisheries College, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Fisheries college of Jimei university, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, PR China; Correspondence authors at: Fisheries College, Jimei University, Yindou Street 43, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, PR China.Fisheries College, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Fisheries college of Jimei university, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, PR China; Correspondence authors at: Fisheries College, Jimei University, Yindou Street 43, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, PR China.LexA is a well-known transcriptional repressor of DNA repair genes induced by DNA damage in Escherichia coli and other bacterial species. Recently, this paradigm—that LexA solely regulates the SOS response—has been challenged as studies reveal its involvement in various biological functions linked to virulence. Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, a major pathogen in mariculture, causes substantial economic losses annually in China. Our previous research suggested that LexA might collaboratively regulate virulence gene expression with HtpG during infection. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which LexA controls virulence gene expression. We employed an array of methods including molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking, ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, mass spectrometry, gene mutagenesis, LacZ reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and in vitro LexA degradation experiments. Our findings identified 36 downstream virulence genes regulated by LexA, define three critical LexA binding motifs, and provide an in-depth analysis of LexA's recognition and binding to promoters, thereby regulating virulence gene expression. Additionally, we confirm the cooperative regulatory roles of HtpG, RecA, and LexA in virulence gene modulation. This is the first report of an endogenous accessory factor aiding in the binding of LexA to DNA. This study enhances our understanding of LexA's role in virulence regulation and offers a valuable theoretical and practical foundation for disease prevention and control.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000136AdhesionBiofilm formationLexAPseudomonas plecoglossicidaVirulence regulation
spellingShingle Rongchao He
Yanfei Zuo
Qiu Li
Qingpi Yan
Lixing Huang
Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
Current Research in Microbial Sciences
Adhesion
Biofilm formation
LexA
Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
Virulence regulation
title Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
title_full Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
title_fullStr Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
title_full_unstemmed Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
title_short Cooperative mechanisms of LexA and HtpG in the regulation of virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
title_sort cooperative mechanisms of lexa and htpg in the regulation of virulence gene expression in pseudomonas plecoglossicida
topic Adhesion
Biofilm formation
LexA
Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
Virulence regulation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000136
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