Two-Component System Response Regulator <i>ompR</i> Regulates Mussel Settlement through Exopolysaccharides

oleh: Wei Ma, Xiaoyu Wang, Wen Zhang, Xiaomeng Hu, Jin-Long Yang, Xiao Liang

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-04-01

Deskripsi

The outer membrane protein (OMP) is a kind of biofilm matrix component that widely exists in Gram-negative bacteria. However, the mechanism of OMP involved in the settlement of molluscs is still unclear. In this study, the mussel <i>Mytilus coruscus</i> was selected as a model to explore the function of <i>ompR</i>, a two-component system response regulator, on <i>Pseudoalteromonas marina</i> biofilm-forming capacity and the mussel settlement. The motility of the Δ<i>ompR</i> strain was increased, the biofilm-forming capacity was decreased, and the inducing activity of the Δ<i>ompR</i> biofilms in plantigrades decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The extracellular α-polysaccharide and β-polysaccharide of the Δ<i>ompR</i> strain decreased by 57.27% and 62.63%, respectively. The inactivation of the <i>ompR</i> gene decreased the <i>ompW</i> gene expression and had no impact on <i>envZ</i> expression or c-di-GMP levels. Adding recombinant OmpW protein caused the recovery of biofilm-inducing activities, accompanied by the upregulation of exopolysaccharides. The findings deepen the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of bacterial two-component systems and the settlement of benthic animals.