An iron-regulated LysR-type element mediates antimicrobial peptide resistance and virulence in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Microbiology (Reading). 2009 Jul;155(Pt 7):2168-2181. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.026690-0. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

During the course of its infection of the mammalian digestive tract, the entero-invasive, Gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pseudotuberculosis must overcome various hostile living conditions (notably, iron starvation and the presence of antimicrobial compounds produced in situ). We have previously reported that in vitro bacterial growth during iron deprivation raises resistance to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B; here, we show that this phenotype is mediated by a chromosomal gene (YPTB0333) encoding a transcriptional regulator from the LysR family. We determined that the product of YPTB0333 is a pleiotropic regulator which controls (in addition to its own expression) genes encoding the Yfe iron-uptake system and polymyxin B resistance. Lastly, by using a mouse model of oral infection, we demonstrated that YPTB0333 is required for colonization of Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes by Y. pseudotuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Operator Regions, Genetic
  • Peyer's Patches / microbiology
  • Polymyxin B / pharmacology*
  • Protein Engineering
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Virulence
  • Yersinia enterocolitica / drug effects
  • Yersinia enterocolitica / metabolism
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Infections / microbiology*
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis* / drug effects
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis* / metabolism
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis* / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Transcription Factors
  • Iron
  • Polymyxin B