Uncovering the regulatory networks for bacterial iron acquisition

Bacterial pathogens, such as hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, must compete with the host to acquire iron during infection. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae produces four different siderophores - high-iron affinity molecules - to acquire iron, but their regulation is not understood in depth. This study investigated the regulatory network for iron acquisition in hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. A high-throughput method (TraDISort) for defining regulatory networks was developed and applied, revealing novel regulators. In addition, expression dynamics of siderophores were comprehensively profiled, revealing patterns of correlation with other virulence factors. These findings deepen understanding of this pathogen and could inform development of virulence-inhibiting therapeutics.