Choline catabolism, σ⁵⁴ factor and NtrC are required for the full expression of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phosphorylcholine phosphatase gene

Abstract

Choline favors the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa because hemolytic phospholipase C and phosphorylcholine phosphatase (PchP) are synthesized as a consequence of its catabolism. The experiments performed here resulted in the identification of the factors that regulate both the catabolism of choline and the gene coding for PchP. We have also identified and characterized the promoter of the pchP gene, its transcriptional organization and the factors that affect its expression. Deletion analyses reveal that the region between -188 and -68 contains all controlling elements necessary for pchP expression: a hypothetical -12/-24 promoter element, a consensus sequence for the integration host factor (-141/-133), and a palindromic sequence resembling a binding site for a potential enhancer binding protein (-190/-174). Our data also demonstrate that choline catabolism and NtrC (nitrogen regulatory protein) are necessary for the full expression of pchP and is partially dependent on σ(54) factor.