Fine tuning cyclic-di-GMP signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the type 4 pili alignment complex

To initiate biofilm formation it is critical for bacteria to sense a surface and respond precisely. Type 4 pili (T4P) have been shown to be important in surface sensing, however, mechanism(s) driving downstream changes important for the switch to biofilm growth have not been clearly defined. Here, using macroscopic bulk assays and single cell tracking analyses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we uncover a new role of the T4P alignment complex protein, PilO, in modulating the activity of the diguanylate cyclase (DGC) SadC. Two hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays show that PilO physically interacts with SadC and that the PilO-SadC interaction inhibits SadC’s activity resulting in decreased biofilm formation and increased motility. We show that disrupting the PilO-SadC interaction contributes to greater variation of cyclic-di-GMP levels among cells, thereby increasing cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the levels of this signal. Thus, this work shows that P. aeruginosa uses a component of the T4P scaffold to fine-tune the levels of this nucleotide signal during surface commitment. Finally, given our previous findings linking SadC to the flagellar machinery, we propose that this DGC acts as a bridge to integrate T4P and flagellar-derived input signals during initial surface engagement.Significance StatementT4P of P. aeruginosa are important for surface sensing and regulating intracellular cyclic-di-GMP levels. This work identifies a new role for the T4P alignment complex, previously known for its role in supporting pili biogenesis, in surface-dependent signaling. Furthermore, our findings indicate that P. aeruginosa uses a single DGC, via a complex web of protein-protein interactions, to integrate signaling through the T4P and the flagellar motor to fine-tune cyclic-di-GMP levels. A key implication of this work is that more than just regulating signal levels, cells must modulate the dynamic range of cyclic-di-GMP to precisely control the transition to a biofilm lifestyle.