Characterization of the Direct Interaction between Hybrid Sensor Kinases PA1611 and RetS That Controls Biofilm Formation and the Type III Secretion System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

One of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the pathophysiology of pulmonary infection in CF is affected by the lifestyle of this micro-organism. RetS-GacS/A-RsmA is a key regulatory pathway in P. aeruginosa that determines the bacterium’s lifestyle choice. Previously, we identified PA1611, a hybrid sensor kinase, as a new player in this pathway that interacts with RetS and influences biofilm formation and type III secretion system. In this study, we explored the structural and mechanistic basis of the interaction between PA1611 and RetS. We identified the amino acid residues critical for PA1611–RetS interactions by molecular modeling. These residues were then targeted for site-directed mutagenesis. Amino acid substitutions were carried out at seven key positions in PA1611 and at six corresponding key positions in RetS. The influence of such substitutions in PA1611 on the interaction was analyzed by bacterial...