scholarly journals Contribution of Physical Interactions to Signaling Specificity between a Diguanylate Cyclase and Its Effector

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt M. Dahlstrom ◽  
Krista M. Giglio ◽  
Alan J. Collins ◽  
Holger Sondermann ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Target Protein ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases ◽  
Cellular Behaviors ◽  
Physical Interactions

ABSTRACT Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial second messenger that controls multiple cellular processes. c-di-GMP networks have up to dozens of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) that synthesize c-di-GMP along with many c-di-GMP-responsive target proteins that can bind and respond to this signal. For such networks to have order, a mechanism(s) likely exists that allow DGCs to specifically signal their targets, and it has been suggested that physical interactions might provide such specificity. Our results show a DGC from Pseudomonas fluorescens physically interacting with its target protein at a conserved interface, and this interface can be predictive of DGC-target protein interactions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that physical interaction is necessary for the DGC to maximally signal its target. If such “local signaling” is a theme for even a fraction of the DGCs used by bacteria, it becomes possible to posit a model whereby physical interaction allows a DGC to directly signal its target protein, which in turn may help curtail undesired cross talk with other members of the network. IMPORTANCE An important question in microbiology is how bacteria make decisions using a signaling network made up of proteins that make, break, and bind the second messenger c-di-GMP, which is responsible for controlling many cellular behaviors. Previous work has shown that a given DGC enzyme will signal for specific cellular outputs, despite making the same diffusible molecule as its sibling DGCs in the unpartitioned space of the bacterial cell. Understanding how one DGC differentiates its output from the dozens of other such enzymes in the cell is synonymous with understanding a large component of the bacterial decision-making machinery. We present evidence for a helix on a DGC used to physically associate with its target protein, which is necessary to achieve maximal signaling.

scholarly journals Physical Interaction between Coat Morphogenetic Proteins SpoVID and CotE Is Necessary for Spore Encasement in Bacillus subtilis

2012 ◽  
Vol 194 (18) ◽  
pp. 4941-4950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa de Francesco ◽  
Jake Z. Jacobs ◽  
Filipa Nunes ◽  
Mónica Serrano ◽  
Peter T. McKenney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Spore Coat ◽  
Coat Proteins ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Physical Interactions

ABSTRACTEndospore formation byBacillus subtilisis a complex and dynamic process. One of the major challenges of sporulation is the assembly of a protective, multilayered, proteinaceous spore coat, composed of at least 70 different proteins. Spore coat formation can be divided into two distinct stages. The first is the recruitment of proteins to the spore surface, dependent on the morphogenetic protein SpoIVA. The second step, known as encasement, involves the migration of the coat proteins around the circumference of the spore in successive waves, a process dependent on the morphogenetic protein SpoVID and the transcriptional regulation of individual coat genes. We provide genetic and biochemical evidence supporting the hypothesis that SpoVID promotes encasement of the spore by establishing direct protein-protein interactions with other coat morphogenetic proteins. It was previously demonstrated that SpoVID directly interacts with SpoIVA and the inner coat morphogenetic protein, SafA. Here, we show by yeast two-hybrid and pulldown assays that SpoVID also interacts directly with the outer coat morphogenetic protein, CotE. Furthermore, by mutational analysis, we identified a specific residue in the N-terminal domain of SpoVID that is essential for the interaction with CotE but dispensable for the interaction with SafA. We propose an updated model of coat assembly and spore encasement that incorporates several physical interactions between the principal coat morphogenetic proteins.

scholarly journals The Inhibitory Site of a Diguanylate Cyclase Is a Necessary Element for Interaction and Signaling with an Effector Protein

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (11) ◽  
pp. 1595-1603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt M. Dahlstrom ◽  
Krista M. Giglio ◽  
Holger Sondermann ◽  
George A. O'Toole
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Target Proteins ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases ◽  
Gmp Production

ABSTRACTMany bacteria contain large cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) signaling networks made of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases that can direct cellular activities sensitive to c-di-GMP levels. While DGCs synthesize c-di-GMP, many DGCs also contain an autoinhibitory site (I-site) that binds c-di-GMP to halt excess production of this small molecule, thus controlling the amount of c-di-GMP available to bind to target proteins in the cell. Many DGCs studied to date have also been found to signal for a specific c-di-GMP-related process, and although recent studies have suggested that physical interaction between DGCs and target proteins may provide this signaling fidelity, the importance of the I-site has not yet been incorporated into this model. Our results fromPseudomonas fluorescensindicate that mutation of residues at the I-site of a DGC disrupts the interaction with its target receptor. By creating various substitutions to a DGC's I-site, we show that signaling between a DGC (GcbC) and its target protein (LapD) is a combined function of the I-site-dependent protein-protein interaction and the level of c-di-GMP production. The dual role of the I-site in modulating DGC activity as well as participating in protein-protein interactions suggests caution in interpreting the function of the I-site as only a means to negatively regulate a cyclase. These results implicate the I-site as an important positive and negative regulatory element of DGCs that may contribute to signaling specificity.IMPORTANCESome bacteria contain several dozen diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), nearly all of which signal to specific receptors using the same small molecule, c-di-GMP. Signaling specificity in these networks may be partially driven by physical interactions between DGCs and their receptors, in addition to the autoinhibitory site of DGCs preventing the overproduction of c-di-GMP. In this study, we show that disruption of the autoinhibitory site of a DGC inPseudomonas fluorescenscan result in the loss of interactions with its target receptor and reduced biofilm formation, despite increased production of c-di-GMP. Our findings implicate the autoinhibitory site as both an important feature for signaling specificity through the regulation of c-di-GMP production and a necessary element for the physical interaction between a diguanylate cyclase and its receptor.

Spatial organization enhances versatility and specificity in cyclic di-GMP signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (12) ◽  
pp. 1323-1334
Author(s):  
Sandra Kunz ◽  
Peter L. Graumann
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Caulobacter Crescentus ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Spatial Cues ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
Regulatory Circuits ◽  
Second Messenger Signaling

AbstractThe second messenger cyclic di-GMP regulates a variety of processes in bacteria, many of which are centered around the decision whether to adopt a sessile or a motile life style. Regulatory circuits include pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and motility in a wide variety of bacteria, and play a key role in cell cycle progression in Caulobacter crescentus. Interestingly, multiple, seemingly independent c-di-GMP pathways have been found in several species, where deletions of individual c-di-GMP synthetases (DGCs) or hydrolases (PDEs) have resulted in distinct phenotypes that would not be expected based on a freely diffusible second messenger. Several recent studies have shown that individual signaling nodes exist, and additionally, that protein/protein interactions between DGCs, PDEs and c-di-GMP receptors play an important role in signaling specificity. Additionally, subcellular clustering has been shown to be employed by bacteria to likely generate local signaling of second messenger, and/or to increase signaling specificity. This review highlights recent findings that reveal how bacteria employ spatial cues to increase the versatility of second messenger signaling.

Diguanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase interact to maintain the specificity of c-di-GMP signaling in the regulation of antibiotic synthesis in Lysobacter enzymogenes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaoge Xu ◽  
Lichuan Zhou ◽  
Guoliang Qian ◽  
Fengquan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Antibiotic Production ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Antibiotic Biosynthesis ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclase ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
Lysobacter Enzymogenes ◽  
Subsequent Investigation ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases

Cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) is a universal second messenger in bacteria. The large number of c-di-GMP-related diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and effectors are responsible for the complexity and dynamics of c-di-GMP signaling. Some of these components deploy various methods to avoid undesired crosstalk to maintain signaling specificity. Synthesis of the antibiotic HSAF ( H eat S table A ntifungal F actor) in Lysobacter enzymogenes is regulated by a specific c-di-GMP signaling pathway that includes a PDE LchP and a c-di-GMP effector Clp (also a transcriptional regulator). In the present study, from among 19 DGCs, we identified a diguanylate cyclase, LchD, which participates in this pathway. Subsequent investigation indicates that LchD and LchP physically interact and that the catalytic center of LchD is required for both the formation of the LchD-LchP complex and HSAF production. All the detected phenotypes support that LchD and LchP dispaly local c-di-GMP signaling to regulate HSAF biosynthesis. Although direct evidence is lacking, our investigation, which shows that the interaction between a DGC and a PDE maintains the specificity of c-di-GMP signaling, suggests the possibility of the existence of local c-di-GMP pools in bacteria. Importance Cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) is a universal second messenger in bacteria. Signaling of c-di-GMP is complex and dynamic, and it is mediated by a large number of components, including c-di-GMP synthases (diguanylate cyclases. DGCs), c-di-GMP degrading enzymes (phosphodiesterases, PDEs), and c-di-GMP effectors. These components deploy various methods to avoid undesired crosstalk to maintain signaling specificity. In the present study, we identified a DGC that interacted with a PDE to specifically regulate antibiotic biosynthesis in L. enzymogenes . We provide direct evidence to show that the DGC and PDE form a complex, and also indirect evidence to argue that they may balance a local c-di-GMP pool to control the antibiotic production. The results represent an important finding regarding the mechanism of a pair of DGC and PDE to control the expression of specific c-di-GMP signaling pathways.

scholarly journals Evidence for Cyclic Di-GMP-Mediated Signaling in Bacillus subtilis

2012 ◽  
Vol 194 (18) ◽  
pp. 5080-5090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Chen ◽  
Yunrong Chai ◽  
Jian-hua Guo ◽  
Richard Losick
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Flagellar Motor ◽  
Positive Bacterium ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Deletion Mutations ◽  
Cellular Processes

ABSTRACTCyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that regulates diverse cellular processes in bacteria, including motility, biofilm formation, cell-cell signaling, and host colonization. Studies of c-di-GMP signaling have chiefly focused on Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigated c-di-GMP signaling in the Gram-positive bacteriumBacillus subtilisby constructing deletion mutations in genes predicted to be involved in the synthesis, breakdown, or response to the second messenger. We found that a putative c-di-GMP-degrading phosphodiesterase, YuxH, and a putative c-di-GMP receptor, YpfA, had strong influences on motility and that these effects depended on sequences similar to canonical EAL and RxxxR—D/NxSxxG motifs, respectively. Evidence indicates that YpfA inhibits motility by interacting with the flagellar motor protein MotA and thatyuxHis under the negative control of the master regulator Spo0A∼P. Based on these findings, we propose that YpfA inhibits motility in response to rising levels of c-di-GMP during entry into stationary phase due to the downregulation ofyuxHby Spo0A∼P. We also present evidence that YpfA has a mild influence on biofilm formation.In toto, our results demonstrate the existence of a functional c-di-GMP signaling system inB. subtilisthat directly inhibits motility and directly or indirectly influences biofilm formation.

scholarly journals Enzymatically Active and Inactive Phosphodiesterases and Diguanylate Cyclases Are Involved in Regulation of Motility or Sessility in Escherichia coli CFT073

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel R. Spurbeck ◽  
Rebecca J. Tarrien ◽  
Harry L. T. Mobley
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Messenger Molecule

ABSTRACTIntracellular concentration of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a second messenger molecule, is regulated in bacteria by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) (synthesizing c-di-GMP) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) (degrading c-di-GMP). c-di-GMP concentration ([c-di-GMP]) affects motility and sessility in a reciprocal fashion; high [c-di-GMP] typically inhibits motility and promotes sessility. A c-di-GMP sensor domain, PilZ, also regulates motility and sessility. UropathogenicEscherichia coliregulates these processes during infection; motility is necessary for ascending the urinary tract, while sessility is essential for colonization of anatomical sites. Here, we constructed and screened 32 mutants containing deletions of genes encoding each PDE (n= 11), DGC (n= 13), PilZ (n= 2), and both PDE and DGC (n= 6) domains for defects in motility, biofilm formation, and adherence for the prototypical pyelonephritis isolateE. coliCFT073. Three of 32 mutations affected motility, all of which were in genes encoding enzymatically inactive PDEs. Four PDEs, eight DGCs, four PDE/DGCs, and one PilZ regulated biofilm formation in a medium-specific manner. Adherence to bladder epithelial cells was regulated by [c-di-GMP]. Four PDEs, one DGC, and three PDE/DGCs repress adherence and four DGCs and one PDE/DGC stimulate adherence. Thus, specific effectors of [c-di-GMP] and catalytically inactive DGCs and PDEs regulate adherence and motility in uropathogenicE. coli.IMPORTANCEUropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) contains several genes annotated as encoding enzymes that increase or decrease the abundance of the second messenger molecule, c-di-GMP. While this class of enzymes has been studied in anE. coliK-12 lab strain, these proteins have not been comprehensively examined in UPEC. UPEC utilizes both swimming motility and adherence to colonize and ascend the urinary tract; both of these processes are hypothesized to be regulated by the concentration of c-di-GMP. Here, for the first time, in a uropathogenic strain,E. coliCFT073, we have characterized mutants lacking each protein and demonstrated that the uropathogen has diverged fromE. coliK-12 to utilize these enzymes to regulate adherence and motility by distinct mechanisms.

scholarly journals Expression and Genetic Activation of Cyclic Di-GMP-Specific Phosphodiesterases in Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 198 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Reinders ◽  
Chee-Seng Hee ◽  
Shogo Ozaki ◽  
Adam Mazur ◽  
Alex Boehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases

ABSTRACTIntracellular levels of the bacterial second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) are controlled by antagonistic activities of diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases. The phosphodiesterase PdeH was identified as a key regulator of motility inEscherichia coli, while deletions of any of the other 12 genes encoding potential phosphodiesterases did not interfere with motility. To analyze the roles ofE. coliphosphodiesterases, we demonstrated that most of these proteins are expressed under laboratory conditions. We next isolated suppressor mutations in six phosphodiesterase genes, which reinstate motility in the absence of PdeH by reducing cellular levels of c-di-GMP. Expression of all mutant alleles also led to a reduction of biofilm formation. Thus, all of these proteins arebona fidephosphodiesterases that are capable of interfering with different c-di-GMP-responsive output systems by affecting the global c-di-GMP pool. This argues thatE. colipossesses several phosphodiesterases that are inactive under laboratory conditions because they lack appropriate input signals. Finally, one of these phosphodiesterases, PdeL, was studied in more detail. We demonstrated that this protein acts as a transcription factor to control its own expression. Motile suppressor alleles led to a strong increase of PdeL activity and elevatedpdeLtranscription, suggesting that enzymatic activity and transcriptional control are coupled. In agreement with this, we showed that overall cellular levels of c-di-GMP controlpdeLtranscription and that this control depends on PdeL itself. We thus propose that PdeL acts both as an enzyme and as a c-di-GMP sensor to couple transcriptional activity to the c-di-GMP status of the cell.IMPORTANCEMost bacteria possess multiple diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases. Genetic studies have proposed that these enzymes show signaling specificity by contributing to distinct cellular processes without much cross talk. Thus, spatial separation of individual c-di-GMP signaling units was postulated. However, since most cyclases and phosphodiesterases harbor N-terminal signal input domains, it is equally possible that most of these enzymes lack their activating signals under laboratory conditions, thereby simulating signaling specificity on a genetic level. We demonstrate that a subset ofE. coliphosphodiesterases can be activated genetically to affect the global c-di-GMP pool and thus influence different c-di-GMP-dependent processes. Although this does not exclude spatial confinement of individual phosphodiesterases, this study emphasizes the importance of environmental signals for activation of phosphodiesterases.

scholarly journals Ligand-Mediated Biofilm Formation via Enhanced Physical Interaction between a Diguanylate Cyclase and Its Receptor

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Giacalone ◽  
T. Jarrod Smith ◽  
Alan J. Collins ◽  
Holger Sondermann ◽  
Lori J. Koziol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Signaling Specificity ◽  
Cognate Receptor ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein

ABSTRACT The bacterial intracellular second messenger, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP), regulates biofilm formation for many bacteria. The binding of c-di-GMP by the inner membrane protein LapD controls biofilm formation, and the LapD receptor is central to a complex network of c-di-GMP-mediated biofilm formation. In this study, we examine how c-di-GMP signaling specificity by a diguanylate cyclase (DGC), GcbC, is achieved via interactions with the LapD receptor and by small ligand sensing via GcbC’s calcium channel chemotaxis (CACHE) domain. We provide evidence that biofilm formation is stimulated by the environmentally relevant organic acid citrate (and a related compound, isocitrate) in a GcbC-dependent manner through enhanced GcbC-LapD interaction, which results in increased LapA localization to the cell surface. Furthermore, GcbC shows little ability to synthesize c-di-GMP in isolation. However, when LapD is present, GcbC activity is significantly enhanced (~8-fold), indicating that engaging the LapD receptor stimulates the activity of this DGC; citrate-enhanced GcbC-LapD interaction further stimulates c-di-GMP synthesis. We propose that the I-site of GcbC serves two roles beyond allosteric control of this enzyme: promoting GcbC-LapD interaction and stabilizing the active conformation of GcbC in the GcbC-LapD complex. Finally, given that LapD can interact with a dozen different DGCs of Pseudomonas fluorescens, many of which have ligand-binding domains, the ligand-mediated enhanced signaling via LapD-GcbC interaction described here is likely a conserved mechanism of signaling in this network. Consistent with this idea, we identify a second example of ligand-mediated enhancement of DGC-LapD interaction that promotes biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE In many bacteria, dozens of enzymes produce the dinucleotide signal c-di-GMP; however, it is unclear how undesired cross talk is mitigated in the context of this soluble signal and how c-di-GMP signaling is regulated by environmental inputs. We demonstrate that GcbC, a DGC, shows little ability to synthesize c-di-GMP in the absence of its cognate receptor LapD; GcbC-LapD interaction enhances c-di-GMP synthesis by GcbC, likely mediated by the I-site of GcbC. We further show evidence for a ligand-mediated mechanism of signaling specificity via increased physical interaction of a DGC with its cognate receptor. We envision a scenario wherein a “cloud” of weakly active DGCs can increase their activity by specific interaction with their receptor in response to appropriate environmental signals, concomitantly boosting c-di-GMP production, ligand-specific signaling, and biofilm formation.

scholarly journals Making and Breaking of an Essential Poison: the Cyclases and Phosphodiesterases That Produce and Degrade the Essential Second Messenger Cyclic di-AMP in Bacteria

2018 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian M. Commichau ◽  
Jana L. Heidemann ◽  
Ralf Ficner ◽  
Jörg Stülke
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Catalytic Core ◽  
Osmotic Adaptation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potassium Homeostasis ◽  
Potassium Transporters

ABSTRACT Cyclic di-AMP is a second-messenger nucleotide that is produced by many bacteria and some archaea. Recent work has shown that c-di-AMP is unique among the signaling nucleotides, as this molecule is in many bacteria both essential on one hand and toxic upon accumulation on the other. Moreover, in bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, c-di-AMP controls a biological process, potassium homeostasis, by binding both potassium transporters and riboswitch molecules in the mRNAs that encode the potassium transporters. In addition to the control of potassium homeostasis, c-di-AMP has been implicated in many cellular activities, including DNA repair, cell wall homeostasis, osmotic adaptation, biofilm formation, central metabolism, and virulence. c-di-AMP is synthesized and degraded by diadenylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases, respectively. In the diadenylate cyclases, one type of catalytic domain, the diadenylate cyclase (DAC) domain, is coupled to various other domains that control the localization, the protein-protein interactions, and the regulation of the enzymes. The phosphodiesterases have a catalytic core that consists either of a DHH/DHHA1 or of an HD domain. Recent findings on the occurrence, domain organization, activity control, and structural features of diadenylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases are discussed in this review.

scholarly journals Identification of a Diguanylate Cyclase and Its Role in Porphyromonas gingivalis Virulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2728-2735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swarnava Chaudhuri ◽  
Siddharth Pratap ◽  
Victor Paromov ◽  
Zhijun Li ◽  
Chinmay K. Mantri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases ◽  
Obligate Anaerobic ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Ggdef Domain

ABSTRACTPorphyromonas gingivalisis a Gram-negative obligate anaerobic bacterium and is considered a keystone pathogen in the initiation of periodontitis, one of the most widespread infectious diseases. Bacterial bis-(3′-5′) cyclic GMP (cyclic di-GMP [c-di-GMP]) serves as a second messenger and is involved in modulating virulence factors in numerous bacteria. However, the role of this second messenger has not been investigated inP. gingivalis, mainly due to a lack of an annotation regarding diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) in this bacterium. Using bioinformatics tools, we found a protein, PGN_1932, containing a GGDEF domain. A deletion mutation in thepgn_1932gene had a significant effect on the intracellular c-di-GMP level inP. gingivalis. Genetic analysis showed that expression of thefimAandrgpAgenes, encoding the major protein subunit of fimbriae and an arginine-specific proteinase, respectively, was downregulated in thepgn_1932mutant. Correspondingly, FimA protein production and the fimbrial display on the mutant were significantly reduced. Mutations in thepgn_1932gene also had a significant impact on the adhesive and invasive capabilities ofP. gingivalis, which are required for its pathogenicity. These findings provide evidence that the PGN_1932 protein is both responsible for synthesizing c-di-GMP and involved in biofilm formation and host cell invasion byP. gingivalisby controlling the expression and biosynthesis of FimA.

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