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Clostridium difficile Hfq can replace Escherichia coli Hfq for most of its function.

ABSTRACT: A gene for the Hfq protein is present in the majority of sequenced bacterial genomes. Its characteristic hexameric ring-like core structure is formed by the highly conserved N-terminal regions. In contrast, the C-terminal forms an extension, which varies in length, lacks homology, and is predicted to be unstructured. In Gram-negative bacteria, Hfq facilitates the pairing of sRNAs with their mRNA target and thus affects gene expression, either positively or negatively, and modulates sRNA degradation. In Gram-positive bacteria, its role is still poorly characterized. Numerous sRNAs have been detected in many Gram-positive bacteria, but it is not yet known whether these sRNAs act in association with Hfq. Compared with all other Hfqs, the C. difficile Hfq exhibits an unusual C-terminal sequence with 75% asparagine and glutamine residues, while the N-terminal core part is more conserved. To gain insight into the functionality of the C. difficile Hfq (Cd-Hfq) protein in processes regulated by sRNAs, we have tested the ability of Cd-Hfq to fulfill the functions of the E. coli Hfq (Ec-Hfq) by examining various functions associated with Hfq in both positive and negative controls of gene expression. We found that Cd-Hfq substitutes for most but not all of the tested functions of the Ec-Hfq protein. We also investigated the role of the C-terminal part of the Hfq proteins. We found that the C-terminal part of both Ec-Hfq and Cd-Hfq is not essential but contributes to some functions of both the E. coli and C. difficile chaperons.

SUBMITTER: Caillet J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4174439 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Clostridium difficile Hfq can replace Escherichia coli Hfq for most of its function.

Caillet Joel J Gracia Céline C Fontaine Fanette F Hajnsdorf Eliane E

RNA (New York, N.Y.) 20140821 10

A gene for the Hfq protein is present in the majority of sequenced bacterial genomes. Its characteristic hexameric ring-like core structure is formed by the highly conserved N-terminal regions. In contrast, the C-terminal forms an extension, which varies in length, lacks homology, and is predicted to be unstructured. In Gram-negative bacteria, Hfq facilitates the pairing of sRNAs with their mRNA target and thus affects gene expression, either positively or negatively, and modulates sRNA degradat ...[more]

PMID: 25147238

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Project description:Considering the increasing popularity of reptiles as pets and their possible role as reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms, the aim of this study was to isolate Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, and C. difficile strains from reptiles in Brazil and to characterize the isolated strains. The characterization was based on phylogenetic typing of E. coli, identification of virulence genes of E. coli, C. perfringens, and C. difficile, serotyping of Salmonella spp., ribotyping and MLST of C. difficile and antimicrobial susceptibility test of pathogenic strains. Cloacal swabs were collected from 76 reptiles, of which 15 were lizards, 16 chelonians, and 45 snakes, either living in captivity, in the wild, or as companion animals. E. coli was isolated from 52 (68.4%) reptiles, of which 46 (88.4%) were characterized as phylogroup B1. The virulence factor CNF1 of E. coli was found in seven (9.2%) sampled animals, whereas the gene of EAST1 was found in isolates from two (2.6%) reptiles. Three isolates positive for CNF1 were resistant to cephalothin, one of which was also resistant to ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol, being then classified as multidrug resistant strain (MDR). Salmonella enterica was identified in 26 (34.2%) reptiles, of which 13 belonged to the subspecies enterica. Serotypes such as S. Mbandaka, S. Panama, S. Infantis, S. Heidelberg, and S. Anatum were identified. One isolate of S. enterica subsp. houtenae was resistant to cephalothin and ciprofloxacin. C. perfringens type A was isolated from six (7.8%) animals. C. difficile was isolated from three (3.9%) reptiles. Two of these isolates were toxigenic and classified into ribotypes/MLST 081/ST9 and 106/ST42, which have been previously reported to infect humans. In conclusion, reptiles in Brazil can harbor toxigenic C. difficile and potentially pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, thus representing a risk to human and animal health.

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Clostridium difficile Hfq can replace Escherichia coli Hfq for most of its function.

Publications

Clostridium difficile Hfq can replace Escherichia coli Hfq for most of its function.

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