A Small RNA, SaaS, Promotes Salmonella Pathogenicity by Regulating Invasion, Intracellular Growth, and Virulence Factors
Linlin Cai, Yunting Xie, Haijing Hu, Xinglian Xu, Huhu Wang, Guanghong Zhou
Abstract
Salmonella is a zoonotic pathogen with high virulence worldwide, and sRNAs have recently been discovered to play important roles. We explored the biological characteristics of the sRNA SaaS and developed two cell infection models and a mouse infection model. SaaS is an SIE-responsive sRNA that regulates the expression of virulence-targeted genes. Additionally, it differentially mediates invasion and intracellular growth for survival and infection of the epithelium and macrophages. We further found that SaaS enhanced bacterial virulence by promoting lethality, colonization, and inflammatory response. These findings provide a better understanding of the critical role of sRNA in bacterial virulence.