Open AccessThe RyfA small RNA regulates oxidative and osmotic stress responses and virulence in uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Hicham Bessaiah,
Pravil Pokharel,
Hamza Loucif,
Merve Kulbay,
Charles Sasseville,
Hajer Habouria,
Sébastien Houle,
Jacques Bernier,
Éric Massé,
Julien van Grevenynghe,
Charles M. Dozois
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos pathogens
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.719
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1553-7374
pISSN - 1553-7366
DOI - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009617
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , fimbria , escherichia coli , biology , pilus , virulence , biofilm , transcriptome , bacterial adhesin , oxidative stress , gene , mutant , bacteria , gene expression , genetics , biochemistry
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common bacterial infectious disease in humans, and strains of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the most frequent cause of UTIs. During infection, UPEC must cope with a variety of stressful conditions in the urinary tract. Here, we demonstrate that the small RNA (sRNA) RyfA of UPEC strains is required for resistance to oxidative and osmotic stresses. Transcriptomic analysis of the ryfA mutant showed changes in expression of genes associated with general stress responses, metabolism, biofilm formation and genes coding for cell surface proteins. Inactivation of ryfA in UPEC strain CFT073 decreased urinary tract colonization in mice and the ryfA mutant also had reduced production of type 1 and P fimbriae (pili), adhesins which are known to be important for UTI. Furthermore, loss of ryfA also reduced UPEC survival in human macrophages. Thus, ryfA plays a key regulatory role in UPEC adaptation to stress, which contributes to UTI and survival in macrophages.