Rho-dependent transcription termination regulates the toxin–antitoxin modules of cryptic prophages to silence their expression in Escherichia coli

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

FEBS Letters

Abstract

Bacterial Rho-dependent transcription termination regulates many physiological processes. Here, we report that it controls the expression of toxin–antitoxin (TA) modules of cryptic prophages in E. coli. Microarray profiles of Rho mutants showed upregulation of genes of the CP4-6 and CP4-44 prophages, including their TA modules, that were validated by RT-qPCR. Analysis of the in vivo termination efficiency and the mRNA sequences of these prophages revealed the presence of many Rho-dependent terminators. The prophage TA modules exhibited synthetic lethality with the Rho mutants, indicating functional involvement of Rho-dependent termination in controlling these modules. Rho-dependent termination does not regulate most of the chromosomal TA modules. We conclude that Rho-dependent termination specifically silences the TA modules of prophages, thereby augmenting bacterial innate immunity.

First Page

2057

Last Page

2067

DOI

10.1002/1873-3468.14150

Publication Date

8-1-2021

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