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Characterization of a Novel Two-Component System in Burkholderia cenocepacia

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Abstract

Two-component systems are important regulatory systems that allow bacteria to adjust to environmental conditions, and in some bacteria are used in pathogenesis. We identified a novel two-component system in Burkholderia cenocepacia, an opportunistic pathogen that causes pneumonia in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The putative operon encodes BceS, a sensor kinase, and BceR, a response regulator. Our studies indicated that the bceR mutant showed a statistically significant decrease in protease, swimming motility, and quorum sensing when compared to the wild-type, but there was no significant difference in phospholipase C activity, swarming, and biofilm formation. In addition, the mutant showed a statistically significant reduction in virulence compared to the wild-type using the alfalfa plant model. Examination of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (a group of organisms that are phenotypically similar, but genotypically distinct) revealed that this system is prevalent in B. ambifaria, B. multivorans, B. vietnamiensis and B. dolosa. Interestingly, all these organisms have been associated with CF patients. The collective results indicate that BceSR influences various activities important in Burkholderia physiology and possibly pathogenesis. This information could be important in the design of novel therapeutics for Burkholderia infections.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Steve Winans for providing bacterial strains and plasmids. This work was funded in part by the Polly and Reid Anderson Endowment in the Sciences, and the Student Research and Grants Committee from Denison University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Case Western University, Cleveland, USA

    Callie R. Merry

  2. Tufts University, Medford, USA

    Michael Perkins

  3. Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

    Lin Mu

  4. Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, USA

    Bridget K. Peterson

  5. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA

    Rebecca W. Knackstedt

  6. Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, OH, 43023, USA

    Christine L. Weingart

Authors
  1. Callie R. Merry
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  2. Michael Perkins
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  3. Lin Mu
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  4. Bridget K. Peterson
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  5. Rebecca W. Knackstedt
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  6. Christine L. Weingart
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Correspondence to Christine L. Weingart.

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Merry, C.R., Perkins, M., Mu, L. et al. Characterization of a Novel Two-Component System in Burkholderia cenocepacia . Curr Microbiol 70, 556–561 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0744-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0744-z

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