Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
Profil
Forschungsthemen15
ERC: Cyclic-di-GMP: New Concepts in Second Messenger Signaling and Bacterial Biofilm Formation (SecMessBiofilm)
Quelle ↗Zeitraum: 09/2013 - 05/2015 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
ESF-EMBO Konferenz über Bakterielle Netzwerke (BacNet15)
Quelle ↗Zeitraum: 03/2015 - 06/2015 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
EXC 1027: Bild Wissen Gestaltung. Ein Interdisziplinäres Labor
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Exzellenzinitiative Cluster Zeitraum: 11/2012 - 10/2017 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Schäffner, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Fratzl, Prof. Dr. Horst Bredekamp
EXC 2025: Matters of Activity. Image Space Material
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Exzellenzstrategie Cluster Zeitraum: 01/2019 - 12/2025 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Schäffner, Prof. Dr. Claudia Mareis
Internationales Symposium über "c-di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria"
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Sachbeihilfe Zeitraum: 03/2015 - 03/2015 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
International Symposium on c-di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria
Quelle ↗Zeitraum: 01/2015 - 03/2015 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
International Symposium on c-di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria
Quelle ↗Zeitraum: 01/2015 - 03/2015 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
Neue Strategien gegen chronische Infektionen: Identifizierung und Wirkmechanismen von Antibiofilm-Wirkstoffen aus traditionellen Heilpflanzen
Quelle ↗Förderer: Andere inländische Stiftungen Zeitraum: 08/2018 - 12/2020 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
Schlüsselmechanismen der molekularen Signaltransduktion durch den sekundären Botenstoff c-di-GMP bei der bakteriellen Biofilmbildung
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Sachbeihilfe Zeitraum: 02/2015 - 07/2018 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
Sensorische Mechanismen und lokale Wirkungen der c-di-GMP-vermittelten Signaltransduktion in Escherichia coli
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm Zeitraum: 09/2019 - 06/2023 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
SPP 1617: Heterogenität der Matrix-Produktion bei der bakteriellen Filmbildung
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Sachbeihilfe Zeitraum: 07/2015 - 12/2019 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
SPP 1879: Die Rolle von zyklischem di-AMP sowie von einem neuartigen zyklischen di-Nukleotid in der Differenzierung und Stressresistenzmechanismen von Streptomyceten
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm Zeitraum: 01/2017 - 05/2020 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
SPP 1879: Nukleotid-Second-Messenger-Signaltransduktion in Bakterien/Koordinationsfonds
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm Zeitraum: 09/2019 - 06/2023 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
SPP 1879: Nukleotid-Second-Messenger-Signaltransduktion in Bakterien/Koordinationsprojekt
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm Zeitraum: 09/2016 - 08/2021 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
SPP 1879: Sensorische Mechanismen der c-di-GMP-Signaltransduktion bei der Biofilmbildung von E. coli
Quelle ↗Förderer: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm Zeitraum: 09/2016 - 02/2020 Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
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Publikationen25
Top 25 nach Zitationen — Quelle: OpenAlex (BAAI/bge-m3 embedded für Matching).
Nature Reviews Microbiology · 1556 Zitationen · DOI
899 Zitationen · DOI
Journal of Bacteriology · 807 Zitationen · DOI
The sigmaS (or RpoS) subunit of RNA polymerase is the master regulator of the general stress response in Escherichia coli. While nearly absent in rapidly growing cells, sigmaS is strongly induced during entry into stationary phase and/or many other stress conditions and is essential for the expression of multiple stress resistances. Genome-wide expression profiling data presented here indicate that up to 10% of the E. coli genes are under direct or indirect control of sigmaS and that sigmaS should be considered a second vegetative sigma factor with a major impact not only on stress tolerance but on the entire cell physiology under nonoptimal growth conditions. This large data set allowed us to unequivocally identify a sigmaS consensus promoter in silico. Moreover, our results suggest that sigmaS-dependent genes represent a regulatory network with complex internal control (as exemplified by the acid resistance genes). This network also exhibits extensive regulatory overlaps with other global regulons (e.g., the cyclic AMP receptor protein regulon). In addition, the global regulatory protein Lrp was found to affect sigmaS and/or sigma70 selectivity of many promoters. These observations indicate that certain modules of the sigmaS-dependent general stress response can be temporarily recruited by stress-specific regulons, which are controlled by other stress-responsive regulators that act together with sigma70 RNA polymerase. Thus, not only the expression of genes within a regulatory network but also the architecture of the network itself can be subject to regulation.
Journal of Bacteriology · 382 Zitationen · DOI
Morphological form in multicellular aggregates emerges from the interplay of genetic constitution and environmental signals. Bacterial macrocolony biofilms, which form intricate three-dimensional structures, such as large and often radially oriented ridges, concentric rings, and elaborate wrinkles, provide a unique opportunity to understand this interplay of "nature and nurture" in morphogenesis at the molecular level. Macrocolony morphology depends on self-produced extracellular matrix components. In Escherichia coli, these are stationary phase-induced amyloid curli fibers and cellulose. While the widely used "domesticated" E. coli K-12 laboratory strains are unable to generate cellulose, we could restore cellulose production and macrocolony morphology of E. coli K-12 strain W3110 by "repairing" a single chromosomal SNP in the bcs operon. Using scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy, cellulose filaments, sheets and nanocomposites with curli fibers were localized in situ at cellular resolution within the physiologically two-layered macrocolony biofilms of this "de-domesticated" strain. As an architectural element, cellulose confers cohesion and elasticity, i.e., tissue-like properties that-together with the cell-encasing curli fiber network and geometrical constraints in a growing colony-explain the formation of long and high ridges and elaborate wrinkles of wild-type macrocolonies. In contrast, a biofilm matrix consisting of the curli fiber network only is brittle and breaks into a pattern of concentric dome-shaped rings separated by deep crevices. These studies now set the stage for clarifying how regulatory networks and in particular c-di-GMP signaling operate in the three-dimensional space of highly structured and "tissue-like" bacterial biofilms.
Inverse regulatory coordination of motility and curli-mediated adhesion in <i>Escherichia coli</i>
2008Genes & Development · 366 Zitationen · DOI
During the transition from post-exponential to stationary phase, Escherichia coli changes from the motile-planktonic to the adhesive-sedentary "lifestyle." We demonstrate this transition to be controlled by mutual inhibition of the FlhDC/motility and sigma(S)/adhesion control cascades at two distinct hierarchical levels. At the top level, motility gene expression and the general stress response are inversely coordinated by sigma(70)/sigma(FliA)/sigma(S) competition for core RNA polymerase and the FlhDC-controlled FliZ protein acting as a sigma(S) inhibitor. At a lower level, the signaling molecule bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) reduces flagellar activity and stimulates transcription of csgD, which encodes an essential activator of adhesive curli fimbriae expression. This c-di-GMP is antagonistically controlled by sigma(S)-regulated GGDEF proteins (mainly YegE) and YhjH, an EAL protein and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase under FlhDC/FliA control. The switch from motility-based foraging to the general stress response and curli expression requires sigma(S)-modulated down-regulation of expression of the flagellar regulatory cascade as well as proteolysis of the flagellar master regulator FlhDC. Control of YhjH by FlhDC and of YegE by sigma(S) produces a fine-tuned checkpoint system that "unlocks" curli expression only after down-regulation of flagellar gene expression. In summary, these data reveal the logic and sequence of molecular events underlying the motile-to-adhesive "lifestyle" switch in E. coli.
mBio · 360 Zitationen · DOI
Heterogeneity or cellular differentiation in biofilms is a commonly accepted concept, but direct evidence at the microscale has been difficult to obtain. Our study reveals the microanatomy and microphysiology of an Escherichia coli macrocolony biofilm at an unprecedented cellular resolution, with physiologically different zones and strata forming as a function of known global regulatory networks that respond to biofilm-intrinsic gradients of nutrient supply. In addition, this study identifies zones of heterogeneous and potentially bistable CsgD and curli expression, shows bacterial curli networks to strikingly resemble Alzheimer plaques, and suggests a new role of flagella as an architectural element in biofilms.
Science · 285 Zitationen · DOI
Cellulose is a major contributor to the chemical and mechanical properties of plants and assumes structural roles in bacterial communities termed biofilms. We find that <i>Escherichia coli</i> produces chemically modified cellulose that is required for extracellular matrix assembly and biofilm architecture. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the intact and insoluble material elucidates the zwitterionic phosphoethanolamine modification that had evaded detection by conventional methods. Installation of the phosphoethanolamine group requires BcsG, a proposed phosphoethanolamine transferase, with biofilm-promoting cyclic diguanylate monophosphate input through a BcsE-BcsF-BcsG transmembrane signaling pathway. The <i>bcsEFG</i> operon is present in many bacteria, including <i>Salmonella</i> species, that also produce the modified cellulose. The discovery of phosphoethanolamine cellulose and the genetic and molecular basis for its production offers opportunities to modulate its production in bacteria and inspires efforts to biosynthetically engineer alternatively modified cellulosic materials.
Molecular Microbiology · 278 Zitationen · DOI
Bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial signalling molecule produced by diguanylate cyclases (DGC, carrying GGDEF domains) and degraded by specific phosphodiesterases (PDE, carrying EAL domains). Neither its full physiological impact nor its effector mechanisms are currently understood. Also, the existence of multiple GGDEF/EAL genes in the genomes of most species raises questions about output specificity and robustness of c-di-GMP signalling. Using microarray and gene fusion analyses, we demonstrate that at least five of the 29 GGDEF/EAL genes in Escherichia coli are not only stationary phase-induced under the control of the general stress response master regulator sigma(S) (RpoS), but also exhibit differential control by additional environmental and temporal signals. Two of the corresponding proteins, YdaM (GGDEF only) and YciR (GGDEF + EAL), which in vitro show DGC and PDE activity, respectively, play an antagonistic role in the expression of the biofilm-associated curli fimbriae. This control occurs at the level of transcription of the curli and cellulose regulator CsgD. Moreover, we show that H-NS positively affects curli expression by inversely controlling the expression of ydaM and yciR. Furthermore, we demonstrate a temporally fine-tuned GGDEF cascade in which YdaM controls the expression of another GGDEF protein, YaiC. By genome-wide microarray analysis, evidence is provided that YdaM and YciR strongly and nearly exclusively control CsgD-regulated genes. We conclude that specific GGDEF/EAL proteins have very distinct expression patterns, and when present in physiological amounts, can act in a highly precise, non-global and perhaps microcompartmented manner on a few or even a single specific target(s).
EMBO Molecular Medicine · 237 Zitationen · DOI
In response to the 2011 European health alert caused by a pathogenic Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak, the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM), established by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), convened a meeting in Paris on November 30th, 2011 on 'EHEC infection and control' attended by world renowned experts in pathogenic E. coli. The major aims of this group were to review the scientific issues raised by the outbreak, to assess the handling of the crisis at the scientific and political levels, and to propose future actions. Several conclusions, which will have impact on future potential E. coli outbreaks, are outlined here.
Environmental Microbiology · 199 Zitationen · DOI
In natural habitats, bacteria often occur in multicellular communities characterized by a robust extracellular matrix of proteins, amyloid fibres, exopolysaccharides and extracellular DNA. These biofilms show pronounced stress resistance including a resilience against antibiotics that causes serious medical and technical problems. This review summarizes recent studies that have revealed clear spatial physiological differentiation, complex supracellular architecture and striking morphology in macrocolony biofilms. By responding to gradients of nutrients, oxygen, waste products and signalling compounds that build up in growing biofilms, various stress responses determine whether bacteria grow and proliferate or whether they enter into stationary phase and use their remaining resources for maintenance and survival. As a consequence, biofilms differentiate into at least two distinct layers of vegetatively growing and stationary phase cells that exhibit very different cellular physiology. This includes a stratification of matrix production with a major impact on microscopic architecture, biophysical properties and directly visible morphology of macrocolony biofilms. Using Escherichia coli as a model system, this review also describes our detailed current knowledge about the underlying molecular control networks - prominently featuring sigma factors, transcriptional cascades and second messengers - that drive this spatial differentiation and points out directions for future research.
Genes & Development · 191 Zitationen · DOI
The blue light using FAD (BLUF)-EAL protein YcgF is a known blue-light sensor of Escherichia coli, but its direct regulatory output and physiological function have remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that unlike other EAL domain proteins, YcgF does not degrade the signaling molecule c-di-GMP, but directly binds to and releases the MerR-like repressor YcgE from its operator DNA upon blue-light irradiation. As a consequence, a distinct regulon of eight small proteins (of 71-126 amino acids) is strongly induced. These include YmgA and YmgB, which, via the RcsC/RcsD/RcsB two-component phosphorelay system, activate production of the biofilm matrix substance colanic acid as well as acid resistance genes and the biofilm-associated bdm gene and down-regulate adhesive curli fimbriae. Thus, small proteins under YcgF/YcgE control seem to act as "connectors" that provide additional signal input into a two-component signaling pathway. Moreover, we found ycgF and ycgE expression to be strongly activated at low temperature, and we elucidate how blue light, cold, and starvation signals are integrated in the expression and activity of the YcgF/YcgE/small protein signaling pathway. In conclusion, this pathway may modulate biofilm formation via the two-component network when E. coli has to survive in an extrahost aquatic environment.
The EMBO Journal · 182 Zitationen · DOI
The EMBO Journal · 181 Zitationen · DOI
Genes & Development · 180 Zitationen · DOI
The general stress sigma factor sigma(S) (RpoS) in Escherichia coli is controlled at the levels of transcription, translation, and proteolysis. Here we demonstrate that the phosphorylated response regulator ArcA is a direct repressor of rpoS transcription that binds to two sites flanking the major rpoS promoter, with the upstream site overlapping an activating cAMP-CRP-binding site. The histidine sensor kinase ArcB not only phosphorylates ArcA, but also the sigma(S) proteolytic targeting factor RssB, and thereby stimulates sigma(S) proteolysis. Thus, ArcB/ArcA/RssB constitute a branched "three-component system", which coordinates rpoS transcription and sigma(S) proteolysis and thereby maintains low sigma(S) levels in rapidly growing cells. We suggest that the redox state of the quinones, which controls autophosphorylation of ArcB, not only monitors oxygen but also energy supply, and we show that the ArcB/ArcA/RssB system is involved in sigma(S) induction during entry into starvation conditions. Moreover, this induction is enhanced by a positive feedback that involves sigma(S)-dependent induction of ArcA, which further reduces sigma(S) proteolysis, probably by competing with RssB for residual phosphorylation by ArcB.
Current Opinion in Microbiology · 167 Zitationen · DOI
Research in Microbiology · 167 Zitationen · DOI
The molecular basis of selective promoter activation by the σ<sup>S</sup> subunit of RNA polymerase
2007Molecular Microbiology · 162 Zitationen · DOI
Different environmental stimuli cause bacteria to exchange the sigma subunit in the RNA polymerase (RNAP) and, thereby, tune their gene expression according to the newly emerging needs. Sigma factors are usually thought to recognize clearly distinguishable promoter DNA determinants, and thereby activate distinct gene sets, known as their regulons. In this review, we illustrate how the principle sigma factor in stationary phase and in stressful conditions in Escherichia coli, sigmaS (RpoS), can specifically target its large regulon in vivo, although it is known to recognize the same core promoter elements in vitro as the housekeeping sigma factor, sigma70 (RpoD). Variable combinations of cis-acting promoter features and trans-acting protein factors determine whether a promoter is recognized by RNAP containing sigmaS or sigma70, or by both holoenzymes. How these promoter features impose sigmaS selectivity is further discussed. Moreover, additional pathways allow sigmaS to compete more efficiently than sigma70 for limiting amounts of core RNAP (E) and thereby enhance EsigmaS formation and effectiveness. Finally, these topics are discussed in the context of sigma factor evolution and the benefits a cell gains from retaining competing and closely related sigma factors with overlapping sets of target genes.
Small Regulatory RNAs in the Control of Motility and Biofilm Formation in E. coli and Salmonella
2013International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 160 Zitationen · DOI
Biofilm formation in Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria involves the inverse regulation of the synthesis of flagella and biofilm matrix components such as amyloid curli fibres, cellulose, colanic acid and poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PGA). Physiologically, these processes reflect the transition from growth to stationary phase. At the molecular level, they are tightly controlled by various sigma factors competing for RNA polymerase, a series of transcription factors acting in hierarchical regulatory cascades and several nucleotide messengers, including cyclic-di-GMP. In addition, a surprisingly large number of small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) have been shown to directly or indirectly modulate motility and/or biofilm formation. This review aims at giving an overview of these sRNA regulators and their impact in biofilm formation in E. coli and Salmonella. Special emphasis will be put on sRNAs, that have known targets such as the mRNAs of the flagellar master regulator FlhDC, the stationary phase sigma factor σS (RpoS) and the key biofilm regulator CsgD that have recently been shown to act as major hubs for regulation by multiple sRNAs.
Microbiology · 158 Zitationen · DOI
Switching from the motile planktonic bacterial lifestyle to a biofilm existence is stimulated by the signalling molecule bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-diguanosine monophosphate (cyclic-di-GMP), which is antagonistically controlled by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs; characterized by GGDEF domains) and specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs; mostly featuring EAL domains). Here, we present the expression patterns of all 28 genes that encode GGDEF/EAL domain proteins in Escherichia coli K-12. Twenty-one genes are expressed in Luria-Bertani medium, with 15 being under sigma(S) control. While a small subset of GGDEF/EAL proteins (YeaJ and YhjH) is dominant and modulates motility in post-exponentially growing cells, a diverse battery of GGDEF/EAL proteins is deployed during entry into stationary phase, especially in cells grown at reduced temperature (28 degrees C). This suggests that multiple signal input into cyclic-di-GMP control is particularly important in growth-restricted cells in an extra-host environment. Six GGDEF/EAL genes differentially control the expression of adhesive curli fimbriae. Besides the previously described ydaM, yciR, yegE and yhjH genes, these are yhdA (csrD), which stimulates the expression of the DGC YdaM and the major curli regulator CsgD, and yeaP, which contributes to expression of the curli structural operon csgBAC. Finally, we discuss why other GGDEF/EAL domain-encoding genes, despite being expressed, do not influence motility and/or curli formation.
Journal of Bacteriology · 154 Zitationen · DOI
The first International Symposium on c-Di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria (22 to 25 March 2015, Harnack-Haus, Berlin, Germany)brought together 131 molecular microbiologists from 17 countries to discuss recent progress in our knowledge of bacterial nucleotide second messenger signaling. While the focus was on signal input, synthesis, degradation, and the striking diversity of the modes of action of the current second messenger paradigm, i.e., cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), “classics” like cAMP and (p)ppGpp were also presented, in novel facets, and more recent “newcomers,” such as c-di-AMP and c-AMP-GMP, made an impressive appearance. A number of clear trends emerged during the 30 talks, on the 71 posters, and in the lively discussions, including (i)c-di-GMP control of the activities of various ATPases and phosphorylation cascades, (ii) extensive cross talk between c-di-GMP and other nucleotide second messenger signaling pathways, and (iii) a stunning number of novel effectors for nucleotide second messengers that surprisingly include some long-known master regulators of developmental pathways. Overall, the conference made it amply clear that second messenger signaling is currently one of the most dynamic fields within molecular microbiology,with major impacts in research fields ranging from human health to microbial ecology.
RNA Biology · 153 Zitationen · DOI
Amyloid curli fibers and cellulose are extracellular matrix components produced in the stationary phase top layer of E. coli macrocolonies, which confer physical protection, strong cohesion, elasticity, and wrinkled morphology to these biofilms. Curli and cellulose synthesis is controlled by a three-level transcription factor (TF) cascade with the RpoS sigma subunit of RNA polymerase at the top, the MerR-like TF MlrA, and the biofilm regulator CsgD, with two c-di-GMP control modules acting as key switching devices. Additional signal input and fine-tuning is provided by an entire series of small RNAs-ArcZ, DsrA, RprA, McaS, OmrA/OmrB, GcvB, and RydC--that differentially control all three TF modules by direct mRNA interaction. This review not only summarizes the mechanisms of action of these sRNAs, but also addresses the question of how these sRNAs and the regulators they target contribute to building the intriguing three-dimensional microarchitecture and macromorphology of these biofilms.
mBio · 151 Zitationen · DOI
The bacterial second messenger bis-(3'-5')-cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) ubiquitously promotes bacterial biofilm formation. Intracellular pools of c-di-GMP seem to be dynamically negotiated by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs, with GGDEF domains) and specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs, with EAL or HD-GYP domains). Most bacterial species possess multiple DGCs and PDEs, often with surprisingly distinct and specific output functions. One explanation for such specificity is "local" c-di-GMP signaling, which is believed to involve direct interactions between specific DGC/PDE pairs and c-di-GMP-binding effector/target systems. Here we present a systematic analysis of direct protein interactions among all 29 GGDEF/EAL domain proteins of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Since the effects of interactions depend on coexpression and stoichiometries, cellular levels of all GGDEF/EAL domain proteins were also quantified and found to vary dynamically along the growth cycle. Instead of detecting specific pairs of interacting DGCs and PDEs, we discovered a tightly interconnected protein network of a specific subset or "supermodule" of DGCs and PDEs with a coregulated core of five hyperconnected hub proteins. These include the DGC/PDE proteins representing the c-di-GMP switch that turns on biofilm matrix production in <i>E. coli</i> Mutants lacking these core hub proteins show drastic biofilm-related phenotypes but no changes in cellular c-di-GMP levels. Overall, our results provide the basis for a novel model of local c-di-GMP signaling in which a single strongly expressed master PDE, PdeH, dynamically eradicates global effects of several DGCs by strongly draining the global c-di-GMP pool and thereby restricting these DGCs to serving as local c-di-GMP sources that activate specific colocalized effector/target systems.<b>IMPORTANCE</b> c-di-GMP signaling in bacteria is believed to occur via changes in cellular c-di-GMP levels controlled by antagonistic and potentially interacting pairs of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Our systematic analysis of protein-protein interaction patterns of all 29 GGDEF/EAL domain proteins of <i>E. coli</i>, together with our measurements of cellular c-di-GMP levels, challenges both aspects of this current concept. Knocking out distinct DGCs and PDEs has drastic effects on <i>E. coli</i> biofilm formation without changing the cellular c-di-GMP level. In addition, rather than generally coming in interacting DGC/PDE pairs, a subset of DGCs and PDEs operates as central interaction hubs in a larger "supermodule," with other DGCs and PDEs behaving as "lonely players" without contacts to other c-di-GMP-related enzymes. On the basis of these data, we propose a novel concept of "local" c-di-GMP signaling in bacteria with multiple enzymes that make or break the second messenger c-di-GMP.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on Biomembranes · 143 Zitationen · DOI
Molecular Microbiology · 137 Zitationen · DOI
In bacterial biofilms, which are often involved in chronic infections, cells are surrounded by a self-produced extracellular matrix that contains amyloid fibres, exopolysaccharides and other biopolymers. The matrix contributes to the pronounced resistance of biofilms against antibiotics and host immune systems. Being highly inflammatory, matrix amyloids such as curli fibres of Escherichia coli can also play a role in pathogenicity. Using macrocolony biofilms of commensal and pathogenic E. coli as a model system, we demonstrate here that the green tea polyphenol epigallocatachin gallate (EGCG) is a potent antibiofilm agent. EGCG virtually eliminates the biofilm matrix by directly interfering with the assembly of curli subunits into amyloid fibres, and by triggering the σ(E) cell envelope stress response and thereby reducing the expression of CsgD - a crucial activator of curli and cellulose biosynthesis - due to csgD mRNA targeting by the σ(E) -dependent sRNA RybB. These findings highlight EGCG as a potential adjuvant for antibiotic therapy of biofilm-associated infections. Moreover, EGCG may support therapies against pathogenic E. coli that produce inflammatory curli fibres along with Shigatoxin.
Trends in Microbiology · 136 Zitationen · DOI
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Identität, Organisation und Kontakt aus HU-FIS.
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- Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge
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- Prof. Dr.
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- Lebenswissenschaftliche Fakultät
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