A Novel LysR Transcriptional Regulator in Burkholderia pseudomallei: Insights from Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for melioidosis, a life-threatening disease throughout the region of Southeast Asia. LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTRs) are key regulators of bacterial virulence and metabolism, yet many remain uncharacterized. This study investigates the function of a novel LTTR, UKMD286_5923, in B. pseudomallei UKM D286. A deletion mutant was constructed, and transcriptomic analysis via RNA sequencing identified 45 upregulated and 22 downregulated genes in the mutant compared to the wild type. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted significant roles in nitrogen metabolism, host entry, and transcriptional regulation. Biofilm formation assays revealed increased biofilm production in the mutant, suggesting a regulatory role in bacterial adhesion. Overall design: RNA-seq profiling of wild-type B. pseudomallei UKM D286 and ukmd286_5923 deletion mutant after overnight growth in LB broth.