Regulation of the Escherichia coli K5 capsule gene cluster: Evidence for the roles of H-NS, BipA, and integration host factor in regulation of group 2 capsule gene clusters in pathogenic E. coli

The expression of Escherichia coli group 2 capsules (K antigens) is temperature dependent, with capsules only being expressed at temperatures above 20°C. Thermoregulation is at the level of transcription, with no detectable transcription at 20°C. Using the E. coli K5 capsule gene cluster as a model system, we have shown that the nucleoid-associated protein H-NS plays a dual role in regulating transcription of group 2 capsule gene clusters at 37 and 20°C. At 37°C H-NS is required for maximal transcription of group 2 capsule gene clusters, whereas at 20°C H-NS functions to repress transcription. The BipA protein, previously identified as a tyrosine- phosphorylated GTPase and essential for virulence in enteropathogenic E. coli, was shown to play a similar role to H-NS in regulating transcription at 37 and 20°C. The binding of integration host factor (IHF) to the region 1 promoter was necessary to potentiate transcription at 37°C and IHF binding demonstrated by bandshift assays. The IHF binding site was 3' to the site of transcription initiation, suggesting that sequences in the 5' end of the first gene (kpsF) in region 1 may play a role in regulating transcription from this promoter at 37°C. Two additional cis-acting sequences, conserved in both the region 1 and 3 promoters, were identified, suggesting a role for these sequences in the coordinate regulation of transcription from these promoters. These results indicate that a complex regulatory network involving a number of global regulators exists for the control of expression of group 2 capsules in E. coli.