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Phylogenetic group‐associated differences in regulation of the common colonization factor Mat fimbria in E scherichia coli
Author(s) -
Lehti Timo A.,
Bauchart Philippe,
Kukkonen Maini,
Dobrindt Ulrich,
Korhonen Timo K.,
WesterlundWikström Benita
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/mmi.12161
Subject(s) - biology , operon , fimbria , genetics , phylogenetic tree , escherichia coli , gene , lineage (genetic) , phylogenetics , adaptation (eye) , population , neuroscience , demography , sociology
Summary Heterogeneity of cell population is a key component behind the evolutionary success of E scherichia coli . The heterogeneity supports species adaptation and mainly results from lateral gene transfer. Adaptation may also involve genomic alterations that affect regulation of conserved genes. Here we analysed regulation of the mat (or ecp ) genes that encode a conserved fimbrial adhesin of E . coli . We found that the differential and temperature‐sensitive expression control of the mat operon is dependent on mat promoter polymorphism and closely linked to phylogenetic grouping of E . coli . In the mat promoter lineage favouring fimbriae expression, the mat operon‐encoded regulator MatA forms a positive feedback loop that overcomes the repression by H ‐ NS and stabilizes the fimbrillin mRNA under low growth temperature, acidic pH or elevated levels of acetate. The study exemplifies phylogenetic group‐associated expression of a highly common surface organelle in E . coli .