Title | Negative feedback loops involving small regulatory RNAs precisely control the Vibrio harveyi quorum-sensing response. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2010 |
Authors | Tu, KC, Long, T, Svenningsen, SL, Wingreen, NS, Bassler, BL |
Journal | Mol Cell |
Volume | 37 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 567-79 |
Date Published | 2010 Feb 26 |
ISSN | 1097-4164 |
Keywords | Bacterial Proteins, Base Sequence, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Molecular Sequence Data, Nucleic Acid Conformation, Protein Biosynthesis, Quorum Sensing, Repressor Proteins, RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional, RNA, Bacterial, Transcription, Genetic, Vibrio |
Abstract | <p>Quorum-sensing (QS) bacteria assess population density through secretion and detection of molecules called autoinducers (AIs). We identify and characterize two Vibrio harveyi negative feedback loops that facilitate precise transitions between low-cell-density (LCD) and high-cell-density (HCD) states. The QS central regulator LuxO autorepresses its own transcription, and the Qrr small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) posttranscriptionally repress luxO. Disrupting feedback increases the concentration of AIs required for cells to transit from LCD to HCD QS modes. Thus, the two cooperative negative feedback loops determine the point at which V. harveyi has reached a quorum and control the range of AIs over which the transition occurs. Negative feedback regulation also constrains the range of QS output by preventing sRNA levels from becoming too high and preventing luxO mRNA levels from reaching zero. We suggest that sRNA-mediated feedback regulation is a network design feature that permits fine-tuning of gene regulation and maintenance of homeostasis.</p> |
DOI | 10.1016/j.molcel.2010.01.022 |
Alternate Journal | Mol Cell |
PubMed ID | 20188674 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC2844700 |
Grant List | R01 GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States 5R01AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 GM065859-07 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States 5R01GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States / HHMI / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States |