The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.

The RNA-binding protein Hfq is recognized as an important regulatory factor in a variety of cellular processes, including stress resistance and pathogenesis. Hfq has been shown in several bacteria to interact with small regulatory RNAs and act as a post-transcriptional regulator of mRNA stability an...

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Main Authors: Jacob R Chambers, Kelly S Bender
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2011-05-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3088715?pdf=render
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author Jacob R Chambers
Kelly S Bender
author_facet Jacob R Chambers
Kelly S Bender
author_sort Jacob R Chambers
collection DOAJ
description The RNA-binding protein Hfq is recognized as an important regulatory factor in a variety of cellular processes, including stress resistance and pathogenesis. Hfq has been shown in several bacteria to interact with small regulatory RNAs and act as a post-transcriptional regulator of mRNA stability and translation. Here we examined the impact of Hfq on growth, stress tolerance, and gene expression in the intracellular pathogen Francisella novicida. We present evidence of Hfq involvement in the ability of F. novicida to tolerate several cellular stresses, including heat-shock and oxidative stresses, and alterations in hfq gene expression under these conditions. Furthermore, expression of numerous genes, including several associated with virulence, is altered in a hfq mutant strain suggesting they are regulated directly or indirectly by Hfq. Strikingly, we observed a delayed entry into stationary phase and increased biofilm formation in the hfq mutant. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for Hfq in F. novicida growth and survival.
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spelling doaj.art-3d742e83d0eb46c8aa5a1df12e5ecbf12022-12-21T21:49:42ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-05-0165e1979710.1371/journal.pone.0019797The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.Jacob R ChambersKelly S BenderThe RNA-binding protein Hfq is recognized as an important regulatory factor in a variety of cellular processes, including stress resistance and pathogenesis. Hfq has been shown in several bacteria to interact with small regulatory RNAs and act as a post-transcriptional regulator of mRNA stability and translation. Here we examined the impact of Hfq on growth, stress tolerance, and gene expression in the intracellular pathogen Francisella novicida. We present evidence of Hfq involvement in the ability of F. novicida to tolerate several cellular stresses, including heat-shock and oxidative stresses, and alterations in hfq gene expression under these conditions. Furthermore, expression of numerous genes, including several associated with virulence, is altered in a hfq mutant strain suggesting they are regulated directly or indirectly by Hfq. Strikingly, we observed a delayed entry into stationary phase and increased biofilm formation in the hfq mutant. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for Hfq in F. novicida growth and survival.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3088715?pdf=render
spellingShingle Jacob R Chambers
Kelly S Bender
The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
PLoS ONE
title The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
title_full The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
title_fullStr The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
title_full_unstemmed The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
title_short The RNA chaperone Hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in Francisella novicida.
title_sort rna chaperone hfq is important for growth and stress tolerance in francisella novicida
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3088715?pdf=render
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