Coordinated regulation of accessory genetic elements produces cyclic di-nucleotides for Vibrio cholerae virulence

The function of the Vibrio 7 th pandemic island-1 (VSP-1) in cholera pathogenesis has remained obscure. Utilizing ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to map the regulon of the master virulence regulator ToxT, we identify a TCP island encoded small RNA that reduces the expression of a previously unrecognized VSP-1 encoded transcription factor termed VspR. VspR modulates the expression of several VSP-1 genes including one that encodes a novel class of d i- n ucleotide cyclase (DncV), which preferentially synthesizes a previously undescribed hybrid cyclic AMP-GMP molecule. We show that DncV is required for efficient intestinal colonization and downregulates V. cholerae chemotaxis, a phenotype previously associated with hyperinfectivity. This pathway couples the actions of previously disparate genomic islands, defines VSP-1 as a pathogenicity island in V. cholerae and implicates its occurrence in 7 th pandemic strains as a benefit for host adaptation through the production of a regulatory cyclic di-nucleotide.