The histidine kinase NahK regulates pyocyanin production through the PQS system

Abstract

Many bacterial histidine kinases work in two-component systems that combine into larger multi-kinase networks. NahK is one of the kinases in the GacS Multi-Kinase Network (MKN), which is the MKN that controls biofilm regulation in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). This network has also been associated with regulating many virulence factors P. aeruginosa secretes to cause disease. However, the individual role of each kinase is unknown. In this study, we identify NahK as a novel regulator of the phenazine pyocyanin (PYO). Deletion of nahK led to a four-fold increase in PYO production, almost exclusively through upregulation of phenazine operon two (phz2). We determined that this upregulation is due to mis-regulation of all P. aeruginosa quorum sensing systems, with a large upregulation of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system and a decrease in production of the acyl-homoserine lactone-producing system, las. In addition, we see differences in expression of quorum sensing inhibitor proteins that align with these changes. Together, this data contributes to understanding how the GacS MKN modulates QS and virulence. ImportancePseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that establishes biofilms as part of its pathogenicity. P. aeruginosa infections are associated with nosocomial infections. As the prevalence of multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa increases, it is essential to understand underlying virulence molecular mechanisms. Histidine kinase NahK is one of several kinases in P. aeruginosa implicated in biofilm formation and dispersal. Previous work has shown that the nitric oxide sensor, NosP, triggers biofilm dispersal by inhibiting NahK. The data presented here demonstrates that NahK plays additional important roles in the P. aeruginosa lifestyle, including regulating bacterial communication mechanisms such as quorum sensing. These effects have larger implications in infection as they affect toxin production and virulence.