OBJECTIVETo construct the KbvR gene of LuxR family deletion mutant and complementation strains from Klebsiella pneumoniae NTUH-K2044 and analyze the effect of KbvR on bacterial growth, biofilm formation and capsular synthesis.

METHODSA KbvR gene deletion mutant strain was constructed using the suicide vector pKO3-Km, and the gene fragment including KbvR coding region, promoter area and transcription termination area were amplified and cloned into pGEM-T-easy plasmid to construct KbvR complementation strain. The growth curves of the wild-type strain, KbvR gene deletion mutant strain and complementation strain were observed to assess the effect of KbvR on bacterial growth. Crystal violet staining method was used to measure the effect of KbvR on biofilm formation; the effect of KbvR on capsular synthesis was detected using string test, centrifugal test and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe KbvR deletion mutant and complementation strains were constructed successfully. KbvR gene did not affect the growth of the bacteria, but biofilm formation and capsular synthesis were attenuated in KbvR deletion mutant strain.

CONCLUSIONAs a transcription factor of the LuxR family orphans of the quorum sensing system, KbvR positively regulates bacterial biofilm formation by affecting capsular synthesis.