Aim: In this study, we investigated the function of BCAM0257-8-9 located in the BCESM region of the Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 genome.
Materials & methods: Differential RNA sequencing was used to determine transcription start sites. The phenotype of overexpression mutants was studied and a transcriptome analysis of the BCAM0258 overexpression mutant was performed.
Results: BCAM0257 and BCAM0258 were identified as belonging to an operon, positively regulated by BCAM0259. We found that this operon is involved in persistence and that BCAM0258 functions as a regulator influencing quorum sensing and activating pathways related to iron acquisition and biofilm formation. Overexpression of BCAM0257 increased virulence.
Conclusion: The BCESM genomic region contains an operon that contributes to quorum sensing and is involved in persistence, biofilm formation and virulence. BCAM0257-8-9 is found in all sequenced B. cenocepacia ET12 genomes and these results may help explain why infections with strains of the B. cenocepacia ET12 lineage are difficult to treat.
Keywords: BCESM; Burkholderia; TA-modules; biofilm; persistence; quorum sensing.