Fig. 1.

Schematic representation of the signal transduction system in which SagS participates to modulate biofilm development of P. aeruginosa. Under planktonic conditions, SagS regulates small regulatory RNA (sRNA) levels in an HptB-dependent manner. HptB and GacAS contribute to the regulation of the sRNAs, RsmY and both RsmY and RsmZ, respectively [70,86]. These sRNAs sequester the sRNA-binding proteins RsmA and RsmF from target mRNAs [78,79]. Upon transition to surface associated growth (post-attachment and biofilm growth), SagS promotes biofilm formation via hierarchical phosphotransfer to BfiSR [61], which in turn contributes to the suppression of the sRNA RsmZ level [60]. Arrows and blunt-ended lines indicate stimulatory interactions and inhibitory interactions, respectively. Bulb-ended lines show interactions that can differ depending on conditions. P, protein phosphorylation or phosphotransfer reaction. The image was created using biorender.com.