Cholesterol is not an essential source of nutrition for Mycobacterium tuberculosis during infection

J Bacteriol. 2011 Mar;193(6):1473-6. doi: 10.1128/JB.01210-10. Epub 2011 Jan 21.

Abstract

Rv1106c (hsd; 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) is required by Mycobacterium tuberculosis for growth on cholesterol as a sole carbon source, whereas Rv3409c is not. Mutation of Rv1106c does not reduce Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in infected macrophages or guinea pigs. We conclude that cholesterol is not required as a nutritional source during infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Deletion
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / metabolism*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / pathogenicity*
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology*
  • Virulence
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • Cholesterol