The Hfq-binding small RNA PqsS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa pqs quorum sensing system and virulence

The Hfq-binding small RNA PqsS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa pqs quorum sensing system and virulence | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article The Hfq-binding small RNA PqsS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa pqs quorum sensing system and virulence Liang Yang, Tianyuan JIA, Xianbiao Bi, Menglu Li, Chenhui Zhang, and 9 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4209901/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Sep, 2024 Read the published version in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widespread nosocomial pathogen with a significant capacity to cause both severe acute infections and biofilm-related chronic infections. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are noncoding regulatory molecules that are stabilized by the RNA chaperone Hfq, triggering various signaling pathways. Here, we identified an Hfq-binding sRNA in P. aeruginosa PAO1, named PqsS, which promoted bacterial pathogenicity and the pseudomonas quinolone signal quorum sensing (pqs QS) system. Specifically, PqsS enhanced bacterial acute infections by inducing host cell death and promoting rhamnolipid-regulated swarming motility. Meanwhile, PqsS reduced chronic infection traits including biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, macrophage survival, and ROS production. Moreover, PqsS repressed the pqsL transcript, leading to the increased PQS levels for pqs QS system, while a PQS-rich condition promoted PqsS expression, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the PqsS-Hfq complex interacts with and destabilizes the pqsL mRNA by recruiting RNase E to drive degradation. Finally, PqsS promotes membrane vesicles (MVs) production and is abundantly detected in MVs. Our work revealed a novel Hfq-binding sRNA PqsS signaling pathway, which enhances pqs QS and acute infections in P. aeruginosa. These findings provide insights for future research on P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and targeted treatment strategies. Biological sciences/Microbiology/Bacteria/Cellular microbiology Biological sciences/Microbiology/Microbial genetics Biological sciences/Microbiology/Pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa Hfq sRNA quorum sensing virulence membrane vesicles Full Text Additional Declarations (Not answered) Supplementary Files PqsSsupplementary240402.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Sep, 2024 Read the published version in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: revise 20 May, 2024 Review # 3 received at journal 15 May, 2024 Review # 2 received at journal 03 May, 2024 Reviewer # 3 agreed at journal 01 May, 2024 Review # 1 received at journal 21 Apr, 2024 Reviewer # 2 agreed at journal 16 Apr, 2024 Reviewer # 1 agreed at journal 15 Apr, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Apr, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 03 Apr, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Apr, 2024 First submitted to journal 03 Apr, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4209901","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":291486749,"identity":"aa643ea9-1278-42ef-a946-ed0621aa1ef4","order_by":0,"name":"Liang 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Finally, PqsS promotes membrane vesicles (MVs) production and is abundantly detected in MVs. Our work revealed a novel Hfq-binding sRNA PqsS signaling pathway, which enhances pqs QS and acute infections in P. aeruginosa. 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