Hypermucoviscosity Regulator RmpD Interacts with Wzc and Controls Capsular Polysaccharide Chain Length
Olga G. Ovchinnikova, Logan P. Treat, Tanisha Teelucksingh, Bradley R. Clarke, Taryn A. Miner, Chris Whitfield, Kimberly A. Walker, Virginia L. Miller
Abstract
, is required for HMV and hypervirulence but that the identity of the polymeric product(s) in HMV isolates is uncertain. Here, we demonstrate that RmpD regulates capsule chain length and interacts with Wzc, a part of the capsule polymerization and export machinery shared by many pathogens. We further show that RmpD confers HMV and regulates capsule chain length in a heterologous host (E. coli). As Wzc is a conserved protein found in many pathogens, it is possible that RmpD-mediated HMV and increased virulence may not be restricted to K. pneumoniae.
Topics & Concepts
RegulatorPolysaccharideChain (unit)MicrobiologyChemistryBiologyBiochemistryGenePhysicsAstronomyGlycosylation and Glycoproteins ResearchProteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans researchErythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology