This Article Full Text (PDF) Other Versions of this Article: JB.00197-08v1 190/14/4941    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Google Scholar Articles by Darnell, C. L. Articles by Visick, K. L. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Darnell, C. L. Articles by Visick, K. L.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J. Bacteriol. doi:10.1128/JB.00197-08
Copyright (c) 2008, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.

The putative hybrid sensor kinase SypF coordinates biofilm formation in Vibrio fischeri by acting upstream of two response regulators, SypG and VpsR

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Medical Center

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: kvisick{at}lumc.edu.

	Abstract

Colonization of the Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes by the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri requires the symbiosis polysaccharide (syp) gene cluster, which contributes to symbiotic initiation by promoting biofilm formation on the surface of the symbiotic organ. We previously described roles for the syp-encoded response regulator, SypG, and an unlinked gene encoding the sensor kinase, RscS, in controlling syp transcription and inducing syp-dependent cell-cell aggregation phenotypes. Here, we report the involvement of an additional syp-encoded regulator, the putative sensor kinase SypF, in promoting biofilm formation. Through the isolation of an increased activity allele, sypF1, we determined that SypF can function to induce syp transcription as well as a variety of biofilm phenotypes, including wrinkled colony formation, adherence to glass, and pellicle formation. SypF1-mediated transcription of the syp cluster was entirely dependent on SypG. However, the biofilm phenotypes were reduced, not eliminated, in the sypG mutant. These phenotypes were also reduced in a mutant deleted for sypE, another syp-encoded response regulator. However, SypF1 still induced phenotypes in a sypG sypE double mutant, suggesting that SypF1 might activate another regulator(s). Our subsequent work revealed that the residual SypF1-induced biofilm formation depended on VpsR, a putative response regulator, and cellulose biosynthesis. These data support a model in which a network of regulators and at least two polysaccharide loci contribute to biofilm formation in V. fischeri.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Geszvain, K., Visick, K. L. (2008). The Hybrid Sensor Kinase RscS Integrates Positive and Negative Signals To Modulate Biofilm Formation in Vibrio fischeri. J. Bacteriol. 190: 4437-4446 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hussa, E. A., Darnell, C. L., Visick, K. L. (2008). RscS Functions Upstream of SypG To Control the syp Locus and Biofilm Formation in Vibrio fischeri. J. Bacteriol. 190: 4576-4583 [Abstract] [Full Text]