ABSTRACTElucidating the function of proteins <50 amino acids in length is no small task. Nevertheless, small proteins can play vital roles in the lifestyle of bacteria and influence the virulence of pathogens; thus, the investigation of the small proteome is warranted. Recently, our group identified theBrucella abortusprotein VtlR as a transcriptional activator of four genes, one of which is the well-studied small regulatory RNA AbcR2, while the other three genes encode hypothetical small proteins, two of which are highly conserved among the orderRhizobiales. This study provides evidence that all three genes encode authentic small proteins and that all three are highly expressed under oxidative stress, low-pH, and stationary-phase growth conditions. Fractionation of the cells revealed that the proteins are localized to the membranes ofB. abortus. We demonstrate that the small proteins under the transcriptional control of VtlR are not accountable for attenuation observed with theB. abortusvtlRdeletion strain. However, there is an association between VtlR-regulated genes and growth inhibition in the presence of the sugarl-fucose. Subsequent transcriptomic analyses revealed thatB. abortusinitiates the transcription of a locus encoding a putative sugar transport and utilization system when the bacteria are cultured in the presence ofl-fucose. Altogether, our observations characterize the role of the VtlR-controlled small proteins BAB1_0914, BAB2_0512, and BAB2_0574 in the biology ofB. abortus, particularly in the capacity of the bacteria to utilizel-fucose.IMPORTANCEDespite being one of the most common zoonoses worldwide, there is currently no human vaccine to combat brucellosis. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathogenesis and biology ofBrucellaspp., the causative agent of brucellosis, is essential for the discovery of novel therapeutics against these highly infectious bacteria. In this study, we further characterize the virulence-associated transcriptional regulator VtlR inBrucella abortus. Our findings not only shed light on our current understanding of a virulence related genetic system inBrucellaspp. but also increase our knowledge of small proteins in the field of bacteriology.
Role of Siderophore Biosynthesis in Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus: Identification and Characterization of Genes Involved in Production of a Siderophore
