Negative feedback loops involving small regulatory RNAs precisely control the Vibrio harveyi quorum-sensing response.

TitleNegative feedback loops involving small regulatory RNAs precisely control the Vibrio harveyi quorum-sensing response.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsTu, KC, Long, T, Svenningsen, SL, Wingreen, NS, Bassler, BL
JournalMol Cell
Volume37
Issue4
Pagination567-79
Date Published2010 Feb 26
ISSN1097-4164
KeywordsBacterial 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>

DOI10.1016/j.molcel.2010.01.022
Alternate JournalMol Cell
PubMed ID20188674
PubMed Central IDPMC2844700
Grant ListR01 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