RRC ID 35268
Author Han X, Dorsey-Oresto A, Malik M, Wang JY, Drlica K, Zhao X, Lu T.
Title Escherichia coli genes that reduce the lethal effects of stress.
Journal BMC Microbiol
Abstract BACKGROUND:The continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance requires the development of new compounds and/or enhancers of existing compounds. Genes that protect against the lethal effects of antibiotic stress are potential targets of enhancers. To distinguish such genes from those involved in drug uptake and efflux, a new susceptibility screen is required.
RESULTS:Transposon (Tn5)-mediated mutagenesis was used to create a library of Escherichia coli mutants that was screened for hypersensitivity to the lethal action of quinolones and counter-screened to have wild-type bacteriostatic susceptibility. Mutants with this novel "hyperlethal" phenotype were found. The phenotype was transferable to other E. coli strains by P1-mediated transduction, and for a subset of the mutants the phenotype was complemented by the corresponding wild-type gene cloned into a plasmid. Thus, the inactivation of these genes was responsible for hyperlethality. Nucleotide sequence analysis identified 14 genes, mostly of unknown function, as potential factors protecting from lethal effects of stress. The 14 mutants were killed more readily than wild-type cells by mitomycin C and hydrogen peroxide; nine were also more readily killed by UV irradiation, and several exhibited increased susceptibility to killing by sodium dodecyl sulfate. No mutant was more readily killed by high temperature.
CONCLUSIONS:A new screening strategy identified a diverse set of E. coli genes involved in the response to lethal antimicrobial and environmental stress, with some genes being involved in the response to multiple stressors. The gene set, which differed from sets previously identified with bacteriostatic assays, provides an entry point for obtaining small-molecule enhancers that will affect multiple antimicrobial agents.
Volume 10
Pages 35
Published 2010-2-4
DOI 10.1186/1471-2180-10-35
PII 1471-2180-10-35
PMID 20128927
PMC PMC2824699
MeSH Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology* DNA, Bacterial / genetics Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics* Escherichia coli / drug effects Escherichia coli / genetics* Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial Gene Library Genes, Bacterial Genetic Complementation Test Hot Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Microbial Sensitivity Tests Mutagenesis, Insertional Nalidixic Acid / pharmacology* Phenotype Sequence Analysis, DNA Stress, Physiological Transduction, Genetic Ultraviolet Rays
IF 2.989
Times Cited 29
WOS Category MICROBIOLOGY
Resource
Prokaryotes E. coli JW1313(ycjW)(ASKA) JW5535(yrbB)(ASKA) JW0534(ybcM)(ASKA)