Role of the Sinorhizobium meliloti global regulator Hfq in gene regulation and symbiosis.

Mol Plant Microbe Interact, 2010/4;23(4):355-365.

Gao M[1], Barnett MJ[2], Long SR[2], Teplitski M[1]

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PMID: 20192823DOI: 10.1094/MPMI-23-4-0355

Impact factor: 3.422

Abstract
The RNA-binding protein Hfq is a global regulator which controls diverse cellular processes in bacteria. To begin understanding the role of Hfq in the Sinorhizobium meliloti-Medicago truncatula nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, we defined free-living and symbiotic phenotypes of an hfq mutant. Over 500 transcripts were differentially accumulated in the hfq mutant of S. meliloti Rm1021 when grown in a shaking culture. Consistent with transcriptome-wide changes, the hfq mutant displayed dramatic alterations in metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds, even though its carbon source utilization profiles were nearly identical to the wild type. The hfq mutant had reduced motility and was impaired for growth at alkaline pH. A deletion of hfq resulted in a reduced symbiotic efficiency, although the mutant was still able to initiate nodule development and differentiate into bacteroids.
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