Role of the systemic immune-inflammation index in threatened abortion patients and predicting of abortion

PlzA is a c-di-GMP-binding protein crucial for adaptation of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi during its enzootic life cycle. Unliganded apo-PlzA is important for vertebrate infection, while liganded holo-PlzA is important for survival in the tick; however, the biological function of PlzA has remained enigmatic. Here, we report that PlzA has RNA chaperone activity that is inhibited by c-di-GMP binding. Holo- and apo-PlzA bind RNA and accelerate RNA annealing, while only apo-PlzA can strand displace and unwind double-stranded RNA. Guided by the crystal structure of PlzA, we identified several key aromatic amino acids protruding from the N- and C-terminal domains that are required for RNA-binding and unwinding activity. Our findings illuminate c-di-GMP as a switch controlling the RNA chaperone activity of PlzA, and we propose that complex RNA-mediated modulatory mechanisms allow PlzA to regulate gene expression during both the vector and host phases of the B. burgdorferi life cycle.

Automated summary

This study found that PlzA protein has RNA chaperone activity, which is inhibited by c-di-GMP binding. PlzA can bind RNA and accelerate RNA annealing, and only apo-PlzA can strand displace and unwind double-stranded RNA. It is proposed that PlzA regulates gene expression during both the vector and host phases of the B. burgdorferi life cycle through complex RNA-mediated mechanisms.