Rap-protein paralogs ofB. thuringiensis: a multifunctional and redundant regulatory repertoire for the control of collective functions

Abstract

AbstractQuorum Sensing (QS) are mechanisms of synthesis and detection of signaling molecules to regulate gene expression and coordinate behaviors in bacterial populations. InBacillus subtilis(Bs), multiple paralog Rap-Phr QS systems (receptor-signaling peptide) are highly redundant and multifunctional, interconnecting the regulation of differentiation processes such as sporulation and competence. However, their functions in theB. cereusgroup are largely unknown. We evaluated the diversification of Rap-Phr systems in theB. cereusgroup as well as their functions, usingBacillus thuringiensisBt8741 as model. Bt8741 codes for eight Rap-Phr systems; these were overexpressed to study their participation in sporulation, biofilm formation, extracellular proteolytic activity and spreading. Our results show that five Rap-Phr systems (RapC, K, F, I and RapLike) inhibit sporulation, two of which (RapK and RapF) probably dephosphorylate of Spo0F from the Spo0A phosphorelay; these two Rap proteins also inhibit biofilm formation. Five systems (RapC, F, F2, I1 and RapLike) decrease extracellular proteolytic activity; finally, four systems (RapC, F1, F2 and RapLike) participate in spreading inhibition. Our bioinformatic analyses showed that Rap proteins from theB. cereusgroup diversified into five pherogroups, and we foresee that functions performed by Rap proteins of Bt8741 could also be carried out by Rap homologs in other species within the group. These results indicate that Rap-Phr systems constitute a highly multifunctional and redundant regulatory repertoire that enables bacteria from theB. cereusgroup to efficiently regulate collective functions during the bacterial life cycle, in the face of changing environments.ImportanceTheBacillus cereusgroup of bacteria includes species of high economic, clinical, biological warfare and biotechnological interest, e.g.B. anthracisin bioterrorism,B. cereusin food intoxications andB. thuringiensisin biocontrol. Knowledge on the ecology of these bacteria is hindered due to our limited understanding about the regulatory circuits that control differentiation and specialization processes. Here, we uncover the participation of eight Rap quorum-sensing receptors in collective functions ofB. thuringiensis. These proteins are highly multifunctional and redundant in their functions, linking ecologically relevant processes such as sporulation, biofilm formation, extracellular proteolytic activity, spreading, and probably other additional functions in species from theB. cereusgroup.