Characterization of GefA, a GGEEF Domain-Containing Protein That Modulates Vibrio parahaemolyticus Motility, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence
Xiaojun Zhong, Zhong Lu, Fei Wang, Ning Yao, Mengting Shi, Menghua Yang
Abstract
The c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes constitute one of the largest clusters of potential orthologues in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. However, the specific roles that these individual c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes play are largely unknown. Here, we identified a GGEEF domain-containing protein designated GefA that regulates bacterial behaviors and virulence. We also demonstrated that flagella participate in the infection of this bacterium, through which GefA regulates bacterial virulence. To our knowledge, the roles that c-di-GMP and flagella play in V. parahaemolyticus virulence have never been revealed. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the function of c-di-GMP and its synthetases in V. parahaemolyticus.