An atlas of bacterial two-component systems reveals function and plasticity in signal transduction

Two-component systems (TCSs) consist of the biggest group of signal transduction pathways in biology. Although TCSs play key roles in sensing signals to sustain survival and virulence, the genome-wide regula-tory variability and conservation and synergistic actions of global TCSs in response to external stimulus are still uncharacterized. Here, we integrate 120 transcriptome sequencing datasets and 38 chromatin immuno-precipitation sequencing datasets of the model phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae to illustrate how bac-terial TCSs dynamically govern their regulatory roles under changing environments. We reveal themes of con-servation and variability in bacterial gene regulations in response to changing environments by developing a network-based PSTCSome (Pseudomonas syringae TCS regulome) containing 232 and 297 functional genes under King's B medium and minimal medium conditions, respectively. We identify 7 TCSs regulating the type III secretion system, motility, or exopolysaccharide production. Overall, this study represents an important source to study the plasticity of TCSs among other TCS-containing organisms.

Automated summary

The study integrates transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data to reveal the regulatory roles of TCSs in different environments, as well as their conservation and variability. Seven TCSs regulating the type III secretion system, motility, or exopolysaccharide production are identified.