Molecular Microbiology (@molmicrounihoh.bsky.social)

🫴 AphA-dependent c-di-GMP production in Vibrio parahaemolyticus is mediated by direct regulation of eapA transcription encoding an EAL domain-containing protein 👇 | Journal of Bacteriology journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @jbacteria.bsky.social

loading . . .

AphA-dependent c-di-GMP production in Vibrio parahaemolyticus is mediated by direct regulation of eapA transcription encoding an EAL domain-containing protein | Journal of Bacteriology Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) poses significant threats to human health and aquaculture, yet the mechanisms linking QS to c-di-GMP signaling remain poorly understood. This work uncovers AphA as a pivotal regulator that directly activates eapA, an EAL domain phosphodiesterase (PDE), to elevate c-di-GMP levels at low cell density (LCD). We identify EapA as the LCD-specific PDE that degrades c-di-GMP and is directly activated by AphA. Deletion of eapA elevates c-di-GMP levels, enhancing biofilm formation while suppressing swimming motility; these phenotypes are epistatic to AphA. The discovery of the AphA-eapA-c-di-GMP axis provides novel insights into how QS integrates with second messengers to optimize bacterial fitness. This study underscores the complexity of c-di-GMP metabolism and highlights AphA’s dual role as a global transcriptional regulator, bridging gaps in our understanding of bacterial signaling networks. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jb.00104-25