sRNA chaperone Hfq controls bioluminescence and other phenotypes through Qrr1-dependent and -independent mechanisms in Vibrio fischeri.

Colonization of the squid Euprymna scolopes by the bacterium Vibrio fischeri depends on bacterial biofilm formation, motility, and bioluminescence. Previous work has demonstrated an inhibitory role for the small RNA (sRNA) Qrr1 in quorum-induced bioluminescence of V. fischeri, but the contribution of the corresponding sRNA chaperone, Hfq, was not examined.

Control of Competence in Vibrio fischeri.

species, including the squid symbiont , become competent to take up DNA under specific conditions. For example, becomes competent when grown in the presence of chitin oligosaccharides or upon overproduction of the competence regulatory factor TfoX. While little is known about the regulatory pathway(s) that controls competence, this microbe encodes homologs of factors that control competence in the well-studied To further develop as a genetically tractable organism, we evaluated the roles of some of these competence homologs.

Genetic Manipulation of Vibrio fischeri.

Vibrio fischeri is a nonpathogenic organism related to pathogenic Vibrio species. The bacterium has been used as a model organism to study symbiosis in the context of its association with its host, the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes. The genetic tractability of this bacterium has facilitated the mapping of pathways that mediate interactions between these organisms.