Evidence for up and down regulation of 450 genes by rpoB12 (rif) mutation and their implications in complexity of transcription modulation in Escherichia coli

Analyses of mutations in rpoB subunit of Escherichia coli that lead to resistance to rifampicin have been invaluable in providing insight into events during transcription continue to be discovered. Earlier we reported that rpoB12 suppresses over-expression of cps genes in Δlon mutant of E. coli, by interfering with the transcription of rcsA. Here we report Microarray based Transcriptome profile of Δlon and Δlon rpoB12 strains. The data analyses clearly reveal that rpoB12 mutation results in the differential expression of ∼450 genes. The transcription profiles of some of the genes namely, rcsA, gadE, csgD, bolA, ypdI, dnaJ, clpP, csrA and hdeA are significantly altered, particularly the genes implicated in virulence. Some of the phenotypic traits namely, biofilm formation, motility, curli synthesis and ability to withstand acidic stress in a lon+rpoB12 strain were assessed. The results clearly indicate that rpoB12 up-regulates biofilm formation and curli synthesis while it makes the cells sensitive for growth in acidic medium and inhibits motility almost completely. Furthermore, rpoB12 modulates the expression profile of a significant number of genes involved in stress responses, genes encoding small RNAs. Thus, this study reveals the versatile role of the rpoB12 mutation, especially its impact on the regulation of genes related to virulence and highlights its medical importance.