Stringent Response Factors PPX1 and PPK2 Play an Important Role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Metabolism, Biofilm Formation, and Sensitivity to IsoniazidIn Vivo
ABSTRACTMycobacterium tuberculosisremains a global health threat largely due to the lengthy duration of curative antibiotic treatment, contributing to medical nonadherence and the emergence of drug resistance. This prolonged therapy is likely due to the presence ofM. tuberculosispersisters, which exhibit antibiotic tolerance. Inorganic polyphosphate [poly(P)] is a key regulatory molecule in theM. tuberculosisstringent response mediating antibiotic tolerance. The polyphosphate kinase PPK1 is responsible for poly(P) synthesis inM. tuberculosis, while the exopolyphosphatases PPX1 and PPX2 and the GTP synthase PPK2 are responsible for poly(P) hydrolysis. In the present study, we show by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry that poly(P)-accumulatingM. tuberculosismutant strains deficient inppx1orppk2had significantly lower intracellular levels of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and 1-deoxy-xylulose-5-phosphate. Real-time PCR revealed decreased expression of genes in the G3P synthesis pathway in each mutant. Theppx1-deficient mutant also showed a significant accumulation of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as altered arginine and NADH metabolism. Each poly(P)-accumulating strain showed defective biofilm formation, while deficiency ofppk2was associated with increased sensitivity to plumbagin and meropenem and deficiency ofppx1led to enhanced susceptibility to clofazimine. A DNA vaccine expressingppx1andppk2, together with two other members of theM. tuberculosisstringent response,M. tuberculosisrelandsigE, did not show protective activity against aerosol challenge withM. tuberculosis, but vaccine-induced immunity enhanced the killing activity of isoniazid in a murine model of chronic tuberculosis. In summary, poly(P)-regulating factors of theM. tuberculosisstringent response play an important role inM. tuberculosismetabolism, biofilm formation, and antibiotic sensitivityin vivo.