Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2005. / Not embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 155-182.

The genus Bartonella contains Gram-negative arthropod-borne bacteria that are found in many small animal reservoirs and are capable of causing human disease. Bacteria utilize a general stress response system to combat stresses from their surrounding environments. In α-proteobacteria, the general stress response system uses an alternate σ factor as the main regulator and incorporates it with a two-component system into a unique system. Our study identifies the general stress response system in the α-proteobacterium, Bartonella henselae, where the gene synteny is conserved and both the PhyR and alternate σ factor have similar sequence and domain structures with other α-proteobacteria. Furthermore, we showed that the general stress response genes are up-regulated under conditions that mimic the cat flea vector. We also showed that both RpoE and PhyR positively regulate this system and that RpoE also affects transcription of genes encoding heme-binding proteins and the BadA adhesin. Finally, we also identified a histidine kinase, annotated as BH13820 that can potentially phosphorylate PhyR. In addition, analysis of the transcriptome from the Houston-1 strain of B. henselae by RNA-Seq reveals a family of small RNAs (termed Brt1-Brt9 for Bartonella Regulatory Transcripts 1-9) that may rapidly adapt gene expression patterns to the diverse hosts of this bacterium. This family of RNAs consists of nine novel, highly expressed intergenic transcripts, ranging from 193-205 nucleotides with a high degree of homology (70-100%) and stable predicted secondary structures that are unique to the genus Bartonella. Northern blot analysis indicates that transcription of these sRNAs was highest under conditions mimicking those of the cat flea vector (low temperature, high hemin). The predicted promoters for Brt1-Brt9 have been cloned upstream of a β-galactosidase reporter gene in pNS2 to identify conditions altering transcription. Immediately downstream of each of the nine putative sRNAs is a helix-turn-helix DNA binding protein (termed Trp1-9 for Transcriptional Regulatory Protein 1-9) that is poorly transcribed as determined by RNA-Seq. This gene organization is suggestive of a potential cis-acting RNA mechanism or riboswitch with the RNA secondary structure controlling transcription of the cognate downstream trp.

The variety of bacteria and their genomes sometimes causes conservation of homologue molecules to be displayed not in sequence but in secondary and tertiary structures. In the case of the regulatory 6S RNA, sequence homologues have been found in over 100 bacterial species so far. However, none were found in the genus Streptomyces. The unique genome of these soil- dwelling bacteria, known for their capacity to produce antibiotics, has a high G/C content and diverges substantially from distantly related bacteria. Yet in the non-coding 6S RNA it is the secondary structure that is crucial for its function. The 6S RNAs trap sigma factors by mimicking target promoter sequences in order to help with switching sets of expressed genes during developmental transitions. 6S-like RNA genes in Streptomyces coelicolor have been computationally predicted by comparison of in silico modelled secondary structures of known 6S RNAs. The aim of this thesis was the verification of these 6S-like RNA predictions. The experimental approach was based on RNA co-immunoprecipitation (RNA CoIP), as well as RT- PCR from RNA samples. The outcomes of this project are the detection of six novel ncRNA transcripts with possible 6S-like RNA functions, which also served as the wet-lab verification of the in silico prediction technique...

Streptomyces are medically important soil-living bacteria that undergo morphological changes from spores to aerial hyphae and are important producers of bioactive compounds including antibiotics. Their gene expression is tightly regulated at the early level of transcription and translation. In the transcriptional control, sigma factors play a central role; the model organism Streptomyces coelicolor possesses astonishing 65 sigma factors. The expression of sigma factors themselves is controlled on the post-transcriptional level through the action of sRNAs that modify their mRNA level. However, only several sigma factors in Streptomyces have known regulons and also their sRNAs-mediated regulation has not been studied so far. According to previously measured gene expression data, we selected several highly expressed sigma factors. Using mutant strains with HA-tagged sigma factors, regulons of two important sigma factors, SigQ and HrdB, were analyzed by ChIP-seq procedure. Other sigma factors were further studied to see if they possess asRNAs, using 5' and 3' RACE method and northern blotting. Our data confirm the essentiality of HrdB sigma factor during the vegetative phase of growth. The other sigma factor, SigQ, has been revealed to be an important regulator of nitrogen metabolism and osmotic...

This diploma thesis is focused on development of a fast method for site-directed gene mutagenesis in Streptococcus zooepidemicus based on the mechanism of natural competence. Several genes were selected based on experimental data which highly probably influence hyaluronic acid synthesis. The deletion of the selected genes from genomic DNA was performed as proof of concept, and the resulting recombinant strains were characterized regarding changes of hyaluronic acid precursor concentrations (glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamin) in time of cultivation and the end production of hyaluronic acid.

A distinctive feature of host-pathogen interactions in the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the asymptomatic latent phase of infection. The ability of the bacillus to survive for extended periods of time in the host suggests an adaptive mechanism in M. tuberculosis that can cope with a variety of environmental stresses and other host stimuli. Extensive genomic studies and analysis of knock-out phenotypes revealed elaborate cellular machinery in M. tuberculosis that ensures a rapid cellular response to host stimuli. Prominent amongst these are two-component systems and σ factors that exclusively govern transcription re-engineering in response to environmental stimuli. M. tuberculosis σK is a σ factor that was demonstrated to control the expression of secreted antigenic proteins. The study reported in this thesis was geared to understand the molecular basis for σK activity as well as to explore conditions that would regulate σK activity. Transcription in bacteria is driven by the RNA polymerase enzyme that can associate with multiple σ factors. σ factors confer promoter specificity and thus directly control the expression of genes. The association of different σ factors with the RNA polymerase is essential for the temporal and conditional re-engineering of the expression profile. Environment induced changes in expression rely on a subset of σ factors. This class of σ factors (also referred to as Class IV or Extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors) is regulated by a variety of mechanisms. The regulation of an ECF σ factor activity at the transcriptional, translational or posttranslational steps ensures fidelity in the cellular concentration of free, active ECF σ factors. In general, ECF σ factors associate with an inhibitory protein referred to as an anti-σ factor. The release of a free, active σ factor from a σ /anti-σ complex is thus a mechanism that can potentially control the cellular levels of an active σ factor in the cell. M. tuberculosis σK is associated with a membrane bound anti-σK (also referred to as RskA) (Said-Salim et al., Molecular Microbiology 62: 1251-1263: 2006). The extracellular stimulus that is recognized by RskA remains unclear. However, recent studies have suggested the possibility of a regulated proteolytic cascade that can selectively degrade RskA and other membrane associated anti-σ factors. The goal of the study was to understand this regulatory mechanism with a specific focus on the M. tuberculosis σK/RskA complex. The structure of the cytosolic σK/RskA complex and the associated biochemical and biophysical characteristics revealed several features of this /anti-σ complex that were hitherto unclear. In particular, these studies revealed a redox sensitive regulatory mechanism in addition to a regulated proteolytic cascade. These features and an analysis of the M. tuberculosis σK/RskA complex vis-à-vis the other characterized σ/anti σfactor complexes are presented in this thesis. This thesis is organized as follows- Chapter 1 provides an overview of prokaryotic transcription. A brief description of the physiology of M. tuberculosis is presented along with a summary of characterized factors that contribute to the pathogenecity and virulence of this bacillus. The pertinent mechanistic issues of σ/anti-σ factor interactions are placed in the context of environment mediated changes in M. tuberculosis transcription. A summary of studies in this area provides a background of the research leading to this thesis. Chapters 2 and 3 of this thesis describe the structural and mechanistic studies on the σK/RskA complex. The crystal structure of the σK/RskA complex revealed a disulfide bond in domain 4 (σK4). σK4 interacts with the -35 element of the promoter DNA. The disulfide forming cysteines were seen to be conserved in more than 70% of σK homologs, across both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The conservation of the disulfide-forming cysteines led us to further characterize the role of this disulfide in σK/RskA interactions. These were examined by several biochemical and biophysical experiments. The redox potential of these disulfide bond forming cysteine residues were consistent with the proposed role of a sensor. The crystal structure and biochemical studies thus suggest that M. tuberculosis σK is activated under reducing conditions. Chapter 4 of this thesis describes the progress made thus far in the structural and biochemical characterization of an intra-membrane protease, M. tuberculosis Rip1 (Rv2869c). This protein is an essential component of the proteolytic cascade that selectively cleaves RskA. The proteolytic steps that govern the selective degradation of an anti-σ factor were first characterized in the case of E. coli σE (Li, X. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 106:14837-14842, 2009). This cascade is triggered by the concerted action of a secreted protease (also referred to as a site-1 protease) and a trans-membrane protease (also referred to as a site-2 protease). M. tuberculosis Rip1 was demonstrated to be bona-fide site 2 protease that acts on three anti-σ factors viz., RskA, RslA and RsmA (Sklar et al., Molecular Microbiology 77:605-617; 2010). To further characterize the role of Rip1 in the proteolytic cascade, this intra-membrane protease was cloned, expressed and purified for structural, biochemical and biophysical analysis. The preliminary data on this membrane protein is described in this chapter. The conclusions from the studies reported in this thesis and the scope for future work in this area is described in Chapter 5. Put together, the σK/RskA complex revealed facets of σ/anti-σ factor interactions that were hitherto unrecognized. The most prominent amongst these is the finding that an ECF σfactor can respond to multiple environmental stimuli. Furthermore, as seen in the case of the σK/RskA complex, the σ factor can itself serve as a receptor for redox stimuli. Although speculative, a hypothesis that needs further study is whether these features of the σK/RskA complex contribute to the variable efficacy of the M. bovis BCG vaccine. In this context it is worth noting that σK governs the expression of the prominent secreted antigens- MPT70 and MPT83. The studies reported in this thesis thus suggest several avenues for future research to understand mycobacterial diversity, immunogenicity and features of host-pathogen interactions. The appendix section is divided into two subparts- Appendix 1 of the thesis is a review on peptidase V. This is a chapter in The Handbook of Proteolytic enzymes (Elsevier Press, ISBN:9780123822192). Appendix 2 of the thesis includes technical details and an extended materials and methods section.

Le complexe Burkholderia cepacia (Bcc) englobe 17 espèces retrouvées dans les infections pulmonaires d'individus atteints de mucoviscidose. Les bactéries de ce complexe sont présentes dans les sols, la rhizosphère de grandes cultures, les eaux usées et peuvent également être rencontrées dans le cadre d'infections nosocomiales. En France, les espèces B. multivorans et B. cenocepacia (Bcen) sont les espèces majoritaires au niveau des infections de patients atteints de mucoviscidose. Divers clones épidémiques ont été décrits au sein de l’espèce Bcen dont le clone ET12 associé au "syndrome cepacia". En 2004, une épidémie nosocomiale impliquant un clone du Bcc est survenue dans un hôpital de l’Ain. Durant ce travail, l’origine de ce clone (B&B), sa classification au sein du Bcc et certains phénomènes génétiques liés à son émergence ont été étudiés. Cela a permis d’identifier ce clone comme appartenant à l’espèce Bcen et une forte proximité de celui-ci avec la lignée ET12. L’étude des facteurs transcriptionnels de la famille σ70 au sein du Bcc a mis en évidence une structure génétique similaire entre la lignée ET12 et ce clone, mais différente de celle observée chez les autres espèces du Bcc. L’analyse d’éléments génétiques répétés de la famille des séquences d’insertion (IS) a cependant permis d’observer une organisation génomique distincte de la lignée ET12. Celle-ci a été reliée à des phénomènes d’instabilité génétique notamment à des phénomènes d’acquisition d’éléments génétiques mobiles de type îlot génomique. L’ensemble de ce travail a permis de caractériser un ensemble de phénomènes génétiques pouvant expliquer l’émergence de clones épidémiques tels que le clone B&B. / The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises 17 species found in lung infections of individuals with cystic fibrosis. The bacteria of this complex are present in the soil, the rhizosphere of field crops, wastewater and may also be encountered in nosocomial infections. In France, the B. multivorans and B. cenocepacia species are the major species in infections of cystic fibrosis patients. Various epidemic clones have been described within the B. cenocepacia species whose ET12 clone associated with "cepacia syndrome". In 2004, a nosocomial outbreak involving a clone of Bcc occurred in a French hospital. During this outbreak, origin of this clone (B&B clone), its classification within the Bcc and several genetic events associated with its emergence have been studied. These investigations have identified this clone as belonging to the species B. cenocepacia with a strong proximity with the ET12 lineage. The study of transcriptional factors of σ70 family within the Bcc has revealed a similar genetic structure between the ET12 lineage and this clone, but different from that observed in other species of Bcc. Analysis of genetic elements repeated family of insertion sequences (IS), however, allowed to observe a distinct genomic organization of the ET12 lineage. It has been linked to phenomen of genetic instability including acquisition of mobile genetic elements like genomic island (GI). All of this work has helped to characterize a set of genetic events may explain the emergence of epidemic clones such as clone B&B.

CnrX est un senseur périplasmique, ancré à la membrane, appartenant au complexe CnrYXH qui contribue à réguler l'expression des gènes impliqués dans la résistance au nickel et au cobalt chez Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. La résistance est induite par la libération de CnrH, un facteur sigma de type ECF (Extracytoplasmic Function), par le complexe CnrYX en réponse à Ni et Co. Nous avons cherché à comprendre la manière dont CnrXs, le domaine senseur de CnrX, détecte les ions métalliques, les stratégies utilisées pour sélectionner spécifiquement Ni ou Co ainsi que la nature du signal engendré par cette interaction. Les techniques spectroscopiques et biophysiques telles que l'UV-visible, la RPE, le XAS et l'ITC ont permis d'étudier les sites métalliques en solution. Le dimère de CnrXs possède quatre sites de liaison au cobalt. Deux des sites (sites F) sont retrouvés dans la protéine entière dont nous avons maintenant un excellent modèle avec le mutant CnrXs-H32A. Les deux autres sites (sites E) ont un signal spectroscopique atypique probablement dû à la formation d'un complexe binucléaire de cobalt. Nous présentons également des structures à haute résolution de CnrXs dans ses formes apo et métallées par le nickel, cobalt ou zinc. Nous avons établi que la forme zinc est la forme inactive de la protéine et que le mécanisme de détection est engendrée par la substitution du zinc par le nickel et le cobalt dans le site F, conduisant à une modification majeure du site de liaison au métal. Tandis que le zinc est pentacoordiné dans une sphère 3N2O, Ni et Co recrutent le soufre de la seule méthionine (Met123) comme sixième ligand pour former un site octaédrique. Nous suggérons que Met123 soit l'interrupteur moléculaire dont la liaison avec le métal fait évoluer la structure de la protéine vers une conformation active. A notre connaissance, ces résultats constituent la première étude structurale et spectroscopique d'un senseur de métal périplasmique impliqué dans un système de transduction du signal dépendant d'un facteur sigma de type ECF. / CnrX is the membrane-anchored periplasmic sensor of the CnrYXH complex that contributes to regulate the expression of the genes involved in cobalt and nickel resistance in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. This resistance is induced by the release of the ExtraCytoplasmic Function (ECF) sigma factor CnrH from the CnrYX complex upon sensing of Ni or Co. We addressed the metal sensing mechanisms of CnrXs, the strategies used to select Ni or Co and the nature of the signal onset. Biophysical and spectroscopic techniques allowed us to study the metal binding sites in solution. The CnrXs dimer contains four cobalt binding sites. Two (F sites) are present in the full-length protein which H32A-CnrXs mutant is an excellent model of. The two other sites have an unusual spectroscopic signal that might be due to the formation of a binuclear cobalt complex. We present also high-resolution structures of CnrXs in the apo, Ni-, Co-, and Zn-bound forms. We propose that Zn-bound CnrX typifies the resting state of the complex and that the sensing mechanism is triggered by the substitution of Zn for Ni or Co in the F site. This substitution leads to dramatic changes in the metal-binding site. While the Zn ion is pentacoordinated in a 3N2O sphere, Ni or Co ions recruit the thioether sulfur of the only methionine (Met123) residue as a sixth ligand to form an octahedral site. We propose that the Met123 side chain recruitment is the qualitative change that switches on the sensing mechanism by remodeling the four-helix bundle that accommodates the metal-binding site. To our knowledge these results represent the first structural and spectroscopic study of a periplasmic metal sensor involved in transmembrane signal transduction for the activation of an ECF-type sigma factor.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis has one ribosomal RNA operon. The survival of this bacillus thus depends on a transcription mechanism that can effectively couple gene expression to changes in the environment. σ factors are transcription proteins that bind to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) and dictate gene expression. Extra Cytoplasmic Function σ factors (ECF) are a subset of σ factors that coordinate environment-induced changes in transcription. The environment specific binding of ECF σ factors to the RNAP presents an effective mechanism for the bacillus to modulate gene expression. ECF σ factors, in turn, are regulated by their interaction with an anti-σ factor. The active σ factor is released from this complex upon specific cellular or environmental stimuli. The aim of this study was to understand the structural and mechanistic aspects of σ factor activation. Towards this goal, two ECF σ factors, σC and σL, were examined. Structural and biophysical studies on M. tuberculosis σC provided a novel insight into ECF σ factor regulation. Inter-domain interactions in σC were sufficient to occlude the DNA recognition regions even in the absence of an interacting protein. The structure of M. tuberculosis σL in complex with the anti-σ factor RslA provides a structural basis to rationalize the release of active σL under oxidative stress. The other chapters of this thesis include a description of the structure and biochemical features of a hypothetical protein Rv2704 that is co-transcribed with the primary σ factor σA. In an effort to understand the collaboration-competition-redundancy model of prokaryotic σ factors, we performed a computational analysis of this system compiling experimental data from the E. coli and B. subtilis model systems. These results are also presented in this thesis. Put together, the structural and biochemical characteristics of the σ factors presented in this thesis suggest substantial variations in the regulatory mechanisms of the M. tuberculosis σ factors when compared to the canonical E. coli or B. subtilis model systems. This thesis is organized as follows: Chapter 1: The introductory chapter of this thesis is organized to frame the pertinent mechanistic issues involved in the σ factor-regulatory protein interactions in the context of the underlying biology of M. tuberculosis. The first part of this chapter provides an overview of σ factors and a summary of the classification of these proteins and their roles in different prokaryotes. The latter part of this chapter is a summary of the pathogen M. tuberculosis in terms of its genetic composition, gene expression as well as aspects of virulence and pathogenecity. Chapter 2: This chapter describes the characterization of the ECF σ factor, σC. Here we report the structure of an ECF σ factor σC from M. tuberculosis. σC is essential for the lethality of M. tuberculosis in a mouse model of infection. Our studies suggest that M. tuberculosis σC differs from the canonical ECF σ factors as it has an N-terminal domain comprising of 126 amino acids that precedes the σC2 and σC4 domains. In an effort to understand the regulatory mechanism of this protein, the crystal structures of the σC2 and C4 domains of σC were determined. These promoter recognition domains are structurally similar to the corresponding domains of E. coli σA despite the low sequence similarity. Fluorescence experiments using the intrinsic tryptophan residues of σC2 as well as surface plasmon resonance measurements reveal that the σC2 and σC4 domains interact with each other. Mutational analysis suggests that the Pribnow box-binding region of σC2 is involved in this inter-domain interaction. Interactions between the promoter recognition domains in M. tuberculosis σC are thus likely to regulate the activity of this protein even in the absence of an anti-σ factor. Chapter 3 provides an account of the regulatory features of the ECF σ factor, σL. ECF σ factors are often regulated by their interactions with an anti-σ factor that can sense diverse environmental stimuli. Transcriptional responses to changes in the oxidation state are particularly important for M. tuberculosis as it adapts to the environment of the host alveoli and macrophages. Here we demonstrate that the protein RslA binds Zinc and can sequester σL in a reducing environment. Our data suggests that the cytosolic domain at the N-terminus of RslA alone is involved in binding σL. Under oxidizing conditions, the σL/RslA complex undergoes substantial conformational rearrangements that coincide with the release of the Zinc cofactor. In the absence of Zinc, the affinity of RslA for σL reduces by ca 8 fold compared to the holo form. The CXXC motif of RslA acts as a redox sensor. In response to oxidative stimuli, the proximal cysteines in this motif can form a disulfide bond with the release of the bound Zn2+ ion. This observation could be rationalized based on the crystal structure of the σL4/RslA complex. Put together, RslA is a distinct variant of the Zinc binding anti-σ factor (ZAS) family. The structural and biophysical parameters that control σL/RslA interactions demonstrate how variations in the rate of Zinc release and associated conformational changes in RslA could regulate the release of free σL in a measured response to oxidative stress. Chapter 4 is based on the biochemical and structural characterization of a hypothetical protein Rv2704. The gene for M. tuberculosis Rv2704 is located in the same operon as the principal σ factor σA. The biochemical and structural features of Rv2704 were thus examined to identify its role, if any, in the regulation of σA. This protein is a trimer in solution and adopts a chorismate mutase-like fold. The crystal structure reveals that Rv2704 is a member of the functionally diverse YjgF family of proteins. The important structural differences between Rv2704 and other YjgF proteins lie in the arrangement of secondary structural elements and the putative functional clefts between the subunit interface. Although Rv2704 does not interact with σA in vitro, the structural similarities to the YjgF family suggests that this protein could interact with a variety of metabolites, potentially influencing its function. Chapter 5 of this thesis is based on a computational analysis of σ factors. Four conformational segments of σ factors, referred to as σ1, σ2, σ3 and σ4 interact with specific regions of promoter DNA. ECF σ factors are a subset of σ factors that coordinate environment-induced transcription. ECF σ factors are minimalist σ factors with two DNA binding domains viz., σ2 and σ4 that recognize the –10 and –35 promoter elements and are unable to interact with either upstream-activating regions or the extended –10 element of the promoter. There are several ECF σ factors in a typical bacterium often characterized by substantial overlap in function. Here we present an analysis of B. subtilis ECF σ factors and their cognate promoters to understand functional overlap and redundancy in this class of proteins. As expected, conserved bases in the –10 element appear more critical for promoter selectivity than the –35 element. However, we note distinct conformational features in the –35 promoter interaction with the helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif when compared to a data-set of known HTH-DNA complexes. Furthermore, we note differences in –35 element interaction between σ factors that act alone and those that overlap in function. The σ factor promoter interactions were then examined vis-à-vis the estimated cellular concentration of these proteins and their affinity to bind the core RNAP. Put together, this analysis suggests that while the cellular protein concentration dictates the choice of an ECF σ factor to form a complex with the RNAP, conformational features of the –35 element serve to select potential collaborative members, a subset of which eventually initiate transcription. Collaborative arrangements and functional redundancy in ECF σ factors are thus possible within the limits placed by these two parameters. Chapter 6 is a summary of the work reported in this thesis and the conclusions that can be drawn based on these studies. The appendix section of this thesis comprises of technical details that were not included in the main text of this thesis. Appendix I describes the initial characterization of the M. tuberculosis σD/anti-σD complex. Appendix II provides the experimental protocols as well as some of the supplementary data to the work reported in Chapters 2-5 of this thesis.

La résistance aux polymyxines chez P. aeruginosa résulte en partie de la modification du lipide A par addition de 4-amino-aL-arabinose (L-Ara4N), due à l'expression de l'opéron arnBCADTEF-ugD (arn), activée par au moins 6 systèmes de régulation à deux composants (S2C). Nous avons mis en évidence que P. aeruginosa était capable de s'adapter de manière transitoire à la présence de fortes concentrations de polymyxines (8 x CMI) aussi bien in vitro que in vivo dans un modèle murin d'infection pulmonaire aiguë. La délétion de l'opéron arn chez la souche sauvage n'a pas modifié la capacité d'adaptation de P. aeruginosa. Afin d'identifier les gènes impliqués dans le processus adaptatif, le transcriptome global du mutant PAOl/z«;-Aar«-ATCS délété des principaux S2C (parRS, pmrAB, cprRS eiphoPQ) et de l'opéron arn a été réalisé en présence de différentes concentrations de colistine par RNA-Seq. Deux nouveaux mécanismes ont ainsi été identifiés. L'un repose sur l'expression de l'opéron mmsAB codant des enzymes du catabolisme des acides gras et l'autre fait intervenir le facteur sigma alternatif AlgU. Seule la délétion conjointe du gène algW participant à l'activation de AlgU et des opérons arn, mmsAB, pmrAB, parRS, phoPQ et cprRS a permis d'abolir complètement la résistance adaptative à la colistine. Par ailleurs, nous avons mis en évidence le rôle des vésicules de membrane externe (OMVs) dans la séquestration de l'antibiotique, dont la production semble régulée au moins par AlgU et le PQS. Ces travaux offrent des perspectives intéressantes pour l'identification de nouvelles cibles antibactériennes et pour l'amélioration de l'effet bactéricide des polymyxines. / Resistance to polymyxins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa involves the addition of 4-amino-L-arabinose (Ara4N) to LPS phosphates, thanks to an enzymatic modification due to the operon named arnBCADTEF-ugD (arn) whose expression is activated by at least 6 two component regulatory Systems (TCS). We demonstrated that P. aeruginosa was able to resist in a transient way to high concentrations of polymyxins (8x MIC) in vitro and in vivo in a mice lung infection model. Arn operon deletion in the wild type strain did not modify the ability to adapt to polymyxins. In order to identify gènes involved in adaptive resistance, we performed RNA-seq transcriptomes of quintuple mutant PAO\lux-Aaw-ATCS exposed to different concentrations of colistin or non exposed. Two new mechanisms were identified. The first one is based upon mmsAB operon encoding fatty acid catabolism enzymes and the second one is due to the sigma factor AlgU. Only the deletions of algW%enz involved in AlgU activation and arn, mmsAB, pmrAB, parRS, phoPQ and cprRS operons completely abolished the adaptive process. We also demonstrated the role of outer membrane vesicles in the sequestration of colistin whose production is regulated by AlgU and PQS. This study provides knoweldge essential for the design of novel strategies aimed at tackling the adaptive resistance to polymyxins.