Corynebacterium diphtheriae putative tellurite-resistance protein (CDCE8392_0813) contributes to the intracellular survival in human epithelial cells and lethality of Caenorhabditis elegans

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Louisy Sanches Dos Santos¹  Camila Azevedo Antunes¹  Cintia Silva Dos Santos¹  José Augusto Adler Pereira¹  Priscila Soares Sabbadini¹  Maria Das Graças De Luna¹  Vasco Azevedo¹  Raphael Hirata Júnior¹  Andreas Burkovski¹  Lídia Maria Buarque De Oliveira Asad¹  Ana Luíza Mattos-guaraldi¹ 

关键词: Corynebacterium diphtheriae;    tellurite-resistance;    CDCE8392_0813 protein;    HEp-2 cells;    Caenorhabditis elegans;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0074-02760140479

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the aetiologic agent of diphtheria, also represents a global medical challenge because of the existence of invasive strains as causative agents of systemic infections. Although tellurite (TeO3^2-) is toxic to most microorganisms, TeO3^2--resistant bacteria, including C. diphtheriae, exist in nature. The presence of TeO3^2--resistance (Te^R) determinants in pathogenic bacteria might provide selective advantages in the natural environment. In the present study, we investigated the role of the putative Te^R determinant (CDCE8392_813gene) in the virulence attributes of diphtheria bacilli. The disruption of CDCE8392_0813 gene expression in the LDCIC-L1 mutant increased susceptibility to TeO3^2- and reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide), but not to other antimicrobial agents. The LDCIC-L1 mutant also showed a decrease in both the lethality of Caenorhabditis elegansand the survival inside of human epithelial cells compared to wild-type strain. Conversely, the haemagglutinating activity and adherence to and formation of biofilms on different abiotic surfaces were not regulated through the CDCE8392_0813 gene. In conclusion, the CDCE8392_813 gene contributes to the Te^R and pathogenic potential of C. diphtheriae.

【 授权许可】

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