scholarly journals The Helicobacter pylori CZB Cytoplasmic Chemoreceptor TlpD Forms an Autonomous Polar Chemotaxis Signaling Complex That Mediates a Tactic Response to Oxidative Stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (11) ◽  
pp. 1563-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran D. Collins ◽  
Tessa M. Andermann ◽  
Jenny Draper ◽  
Lisa Sanders ◽  
Susan M. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signaling Complex ◽  
H Pylori

ABSTRACTCytoplasmic chemoreceptors are widespread among prokaryotes but are far less understood than transmembrane chemoreceptors, despite being implicated in many processes. One such cytoplasmic chemoreceptor isHelicobacter pyloriTlpD, which is required for stomach colonization and drives a chemotaxis response to cellular energy levels. Neither the signals sensed by TlpD nor its molecular mechanisms of action are known. We report here that TlpD functions independently of the other chemoreceptors. When TlpD is the sole chemoreceptor, it is able to localize to the pole and recruits CheW, CheA, and at least two CheV proteins to this location. It loses the normal membrane association that appears to be driven by interactions with other chemoreceptors and with CheW, CheV1, and CheA. These results suggest that TlpD can form an autonomous signaling unit. We further determined that TlpD mediates a repellent chemotaxis response to conditions that promote oxidative stress, including being in the presence of iron, hydrogen peroxide, paraquat, and metronidazole. Last, we found that all testedH. pyloristrains express TlpD, whereas other chemoreceptors were present to various degrees. Our data suggest a model in which TlpD coordinates a signaling complex that responds to oxidative stress and may allowH. pylorito avoid areas of the stomach with high concentrations of reactive oxygen species.IMPORTANCEHelicobacter pylorisenses its environment with proteins called chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors integrate this sensory information to affect flagellum-based motility in a process called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis is employed during infection and presumably aidsH. pyloriin encountering and colonizing preferred niches. A cytoplasmic chemoreceptor named TlpD is particularly important in this process, and we report here that this chemoreceptor is able to operate independently of other chemoreceptors to organize a chemotaxis signaling complex and mediate a repellent response to oxidative stress conditions.H. pyloriencounters and must cope with oxidative stress during infection due to oxygen and reactive oxygen species produced by host cells. TlpD's repellent response may allow the bacteria to escape niches experiencing inflammation and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

scholarly journals Oxidative Stressors Modify the Response of Streptococcus mutans to Its Competence Signal Peptides

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew De Furio ◽  
Sang Joon Ahn ◽  
Robert A. Burne ◽  
Stephen J. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Oral Biofilm ◽  
Genetic Competence ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTThe dental caries pathogenStreptococcus mutansis continually exposed to several types of stress in the oral biofilm environment. Oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species has a major impact on the establishment, persistence, and virulence ofS. mutans. Here, we combined fluorescent reporter-promoter fusions with single-cell imaging to study the effects of reactive oxygen species on activation of genetic competence inS. mutans. Exposure to paraquat, which generates superoxide anion, produced a qualitatively different effect on activation of expression of the gene for the master competence regulator, ComX, than did treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which can yield hydroxyl radical. Paraquat suppressed peptide-mediated induction ofcomXin a progressive and cumulative fashion, whereas the response to H2O2displayed a strong threshold behavior. Low concentrations of H2O2had little effect on induction ofcomXor the bacteriocin genecipB, but expression of these genes declined sharply if extracellular H2O2exceeded a threshold concentration. These effects were not due to decreased reporter gene fluorescence. Two different threshold concentrations were observed in the response to H2O2, depending on the gene promoter that was analyzed and the pathway by which the competence regulon was stimulated. The results show that paraquat and H2O2affect theS. mutanscompetence signaling pathway differently, and that some portions of the competence signaling pathway are more sensitive to oxidative stress than others.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus mutansinhabits the oral biofilm, where it plays an important role in the development of dental caries. Environmental stresses such as oxidative stress influence the growth ofS. mutansand its important virulence-associated behaviors, such as genetic competence.S. mutanscompetence development is a complex behavior that involves two different signaling peptides and can exhibit cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Although oxidative stress is known to influenceS. mutanscompetence, it is not understood how oxidative stress interacts with the peptide signaling or affects heterogeneity. In this study, we used fluorescent reporters to probe the effect of reactive oxygen species on competence signaling at the single-cell level. Our data show that different reactive oxygen species have different effects onS. mutanscompetence, and that some portions of the signaling pathway are more acutely sensitive to oxidative stress than others.

scholarly journals Ascorbate-Dependent Peroxidase (APX) from Leishmania amazonensis Is a Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Essential Enzyme That Regulates Virulence

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Xiang ◽  
Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva ◽  
Fernando Y. Maeda ◽  
Jason Hauzel ◽  
Norma W. Andrews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Macrophage Infection ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Temporal Regulation ◽  
Metacyclic Promastigotes

ABSTRACT The molecular mechanisms underlying biological differences between two Leishmania species that cause cutaneous disease, L. major and L. amazonensis, are poorly understood. In L. amazonensis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling drives differentiation of nonvirulent promastigotes into forms capable of infecting host macrophages. Tight spatial and temporal regulation of H2O2 is key to this signaling mechanism, suggesting a role for ascorbate-dependent peroxidase (APX), which degrades mitochondrial H2O2. Earlier studies showed that APX-null L. major parasites are viable, accumulate higher levels of H2O2, generate a greater yield of infective metacyclic promastigotes, and have increased virulence. In contrast, we found that in L. amazonensis, the ROS-inducible APX is essential for survival of all life cycle stages. APX-null promastigotes could not be generated, and parasites carrying a single APX allele were impaired in their ability to infect macrophages and induce cutaneous lesions in mice. Similar to what was reported for L. major, APX depletion in L. amazonensis enhanced differentiation of metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes, but the parasites failed to replicate after infecting macrophages. APX expression restored APX single-knockout infectivity, while expression of catalytically inactive APX drastically reduced virulence. APX overexpression in wild-type promastigotes reduced metacyclogenesis, but enhanced intracellular survival following macrophage infection or inoculation into mice. Collectively, our data support a role for APX-regulated mitochondrial H2O2 in promoting differentiation of virulent forms in both L. major and L. amazonensis. Our results also uncover a unique requirement for APX-mediated control of ROS levels for survival and successful intracellular replication of L. amazonensis.

scholarly journals Arginine Biosynthesis Modulates Pyoverdine Production and Release in Pseudomonas putida as Part of the Mechanism of Adaptation to Oxidative Stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Barrientos-Moreno ◽  
María Antonia Molina-Henares ◽  
Marta Pastor-García ◽  
María Isabel Ramos-González ◽  
Manuel Espinosa-Urgel
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Pseudomonas Putida ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Full Detail ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Arginine Biosynthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

ABSTRACT Iron is essential for most life forms. Under iron-limiting conditions, many bacteria produce and release siderophores—molecules with high affinity for iron—which are then transported into the cell in their iron-bound form, allowing incorporation of the metal into a wide range of cellular processes. However, free iron can also be a source of reactive oxygen species that cause DNA, protein, and lipid damage. Not surprisingly, iron capture is finely regulated and linked to oxidative-stress responses. Here, we provide evidence indicating that in the plant-beneficial bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440, the amino acid l-arginine is a metabolic connector between iron capture and oxidative stress. Mutants defective in arginine biosynthesis show reduced production and release of the siderophore pyoverdine and altered expression of certain pyoverdine-related genes, resulting in higher sensitivity to iron limitation. Although the amino acid is not part of the siderophore side chain, addition of exogenous l-arginine restores pyoverdine release in the mutants, and increased pyoverdine production is observed in the presence of polyamines (agmatine and spermidine), of which arginine is a precursor. Spermidine also has a protective role against hydrogen peroxide in P. putida, whereas defects in arginine and pyoverdine synthesis result in increased production of reactive oxygen species. IMPORTANCE The results of this study show a previously unidentified connection between arginine metabolism, siderophore turnover, and oxidative stress in Pseudomonas putida. Although the precise molecular mechanisms involved have yet to be characterized in full detail, our data are consistent with a model in which arginine biosynthesis and the derived pathway leading to polyamine production function as a homeostasis mechanism that helps maintain the balance between iron uptake and oxidative-stress response systems.

scholarly journals Leptospira interrogans Catalase Is Required for Resistance to H2O2and for Virulence

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 3892-3899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azad Eshghi ◽  
Kristel Lourdault ◽  
Gerald L. Murray ◽  
Thanatchaporn Bartpho ◽  
Rasana W. Sermswan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immune Response ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Leptospira Interrogans ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Innate Immune Response

ABSTRACTPathogenicLeptospiraspp. are likely to encounter higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response. In this study, we characterizedLeptospira interroganscatalase (KatE), the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies, by assessing its role in resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress and during infection in hamsters. PathogenicL. interrogansbacteria had a 50-fold-higher survival rate under H2O2-induced oxidative stress than did saprophyticL. biflexabacteria, and this was predominantly catalase dependent. We also characterized KatE, the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies. Catalase assays performed with recombinant KatE confirmed specific catalase activity, while protein fractionation experiments localized KatE to the bacterial periplasmic space. The insertional inactivation ofkatEin pathogenicLeptospirabacteria drastically diminished leptospiral viability in the presence of extracellular H2O2and reduced virulence in an acute-infection model. Combined, these results suggest thatL. interrogansKatE confersin vivoresistance to reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response.

scholarly journals Porphyromonas gingivalis-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Activate JAK2 and Regulate Production of Inflammatory Cytokines through c-Jun

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 4118-4126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huizhi Wang ◽  
Huaxin Zhou ◽  
Xiaoxian Duan ◽  
Ravi Jotwani ◽  
Himabindu Vuddaraju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Signaling Axis ◽  
Interfering Rna

ABSTRACTPathogen-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in host innate immune responses through regulating the quality and quantity of inflammatory mediators. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect have yet to be clarified. In this study, we examined the mechanism of action of ROS stimulated byPorphyromonas gingivalisin gingival epithelial cells.P. gingivalisinduced the rapid production of ROS, which lead to the phosphorylation of JAK2 and increased levels of secreted proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β. Neutralization of ROS byN-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) abrogated the phosphorylation of JAK2 and suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-1β. ROS-mediated phosphorylation of JAK2 induced the phosphoactivation of c-Jun amino-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and the downstream transcriptional regulator c-Jun. Inhibition of JAK2, either pharmacologically or by small interfering RNA (siRNA), reduced both the phosphorylation of these molecules and the production of proinflammatory cytokines in response toP. gingivalis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition or siRNA-mediated gene silencing of JNK or c-Jun mimicked the effect of JAK2 inhibition to suppressP. gingivalis-induced IL-6 and IL-1β levels. The results show that ROS-mediated activation of JAK2 is required forP. gingivalis-induced inflammatory cytokine production and that the JNK/c-Jun signaling axis is involved in the ROS-dependent regulation of IL-1β and IL-6 production.

scholarly journals Sperm oxidative stress: clinical significance and management

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
S. I. Gamidov ◽  
T. V. Shatylko ◽  
A. Yu. Popova ◽  
N. G. Gasanov ◽  
R. S. Gamidov
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Antioxidant Systems ◽  
Oxygen Species

Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of sperm dysfunction. Excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species can damage sperm membranes and disrupt their DNA integrity, which affects not only the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally, but also the clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies and the risk of miscarriage. Sperm cells are extremely vulnerable to oxidative stress, given the limited functional reserve of their antioxidant systems and the DNA repair apparatus. Lifestyle factors, most of which are modifiable, often trigger generation of reactive oxygen species.  Both the lifestyle modification and use of antioxidant dietary supplements are adequate and compatible ways to combat male oxidative stress-associated infertility. The search for other internal and external sources of reactive oxygen species, the identification of the etiology of oxidative stress and treatment of respective diseases are necessary for the successful regulation of redox processes in the male reproductive system in clinical practice, which is required not only to overcome infertility, but also to prevent induced epigenetic disorders in subsequent generations. The article presents the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of male idiopathic infertility. The authors provide an overview of how to prevent oxidative stress as one of the causes of subfebrile fever. The article provides an overview of modern therapeutics, as well as the options for eliminating the consequences of the effect of reactive oxygen species on spermatogenesis and male reproductive system in general.

scholarly journals The DnaK/DnaJ Chaperone System Enables RNA Polymerase-DksA Complex Formation in Salmonella Experiencing Oxidative Stress

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Sim Kim ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Andrés Vázquez-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Complex Formation ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Stringent Response ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Oxidoreductase Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
J Domain

ABSTRACT Our previous biochemical approaches showed that the oxidoreductase activity of the DnaJ protein facilitates the interaction of oxidized DksA with RNA polymerase. Investigations herein demonstrate that under biologically relevant conditions the DnaJ- and DksA-codependent activation of the stringent response in Salmonella undergoing oxidative stress involves the DnaK chaperone. Oxidation of DksA cysteine residues stimulates redox-based and holdase interactions with zinc-binding and C-terminal domains of DnaJ. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicates that His33 in the HPD motif in the J domain of DnaJ facilitates interactions of unfolded DksA with DnaK. A mutation in His33 in the J domain prevents the presentation of unfolded DksA to DnaK without limiting the oxidoreductase activity mapped to DnaJ’s zinc-2 site. Thr199 in the ATPase catalytic site of DnaK is required for the formation of the DksA/RNA polymerase complex. The DnaK/DnaJ/DksA complex enables the formation of an enzymatically active RNA polymerase holoenzyme that stimulates transcription of branched-chain amino acid and histidine metabolic genes in Salmonella exposed to reactive oxygen species. The DnaK/DnaJ chaperone protects Salmonella against the cytotoxicity associated with reactive oxygen species generated by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase in the innate host response. The antioxidant defenses associated with DnaK/DnaJ can in part be ascribed to the elicitation of the DksA-dependent stringent response and the protection this chaperone system provides against protein carbonylation in Salmonella undergoing oxidative stress. IMPORTANCE DksA was discovered 30 years ago in a screen for suppressors that reversed the thermosensitivity of Escherichia coli mutant strains deficient in DnaK/DnaJ, raising the possibility that this chaperone system may control DksA function. Since its serendipitous discovery, DksA has emerged as a key activator of the transcriptional program called the stringent response in Gram-negative bacteria experiencing diverse adverse conditions, including nutritional starvation or oxidative stress. DksA activates the stringent response through the allosteric control this regulatory protein exerts on the kinetics of RNA polymerase promoter open complexes. Recent investigations have shown that DksA overexpression protects dnaKJ mutant bacteria against heat shock indirectly via the ancestral chaperone polyphosphate, casting doubt on a possible complexation of DnaK, DnaJ, and DksA. Nonetheless, research presented herein demonstrates that the cochaperones DnaK and DnaJ enable DksA/RNA polymerase complex formation in response to oxidative stress.

scholarly journals Elesclomol-induced increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species impairs glioblastoma stem-like cell survival and tumor growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽  
Quintino Giorgio D’Alessandris ◽  
Paola Matarrese ◽  
Cristiana Mollinari ◽  
Michele Signore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults, characterized by a poor prognosis mainly due to recurrence and therapeutic resistance. It has been widely demonstrated that glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with stem-like properties is responsible for tumor maintenance and progression. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that GSCs contribute to GBM-associated neovascularization processes, through different mechanisms including the transdifferentiation into GSC-derived endothelial cells (GdECs). Methods In order to identify druggable cancer-related pathways in GBM, we assessed the effect of a selection of 349 compounds on both GSCs and GdECs and we selected elesclomol (STA-4783) as the most effective agent in inducing cell death on both GSC and GdEC lines tested. Results Elesclomol has been already described to be a potent oxidative stress inducer. In depth investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSC and GdEC response to elesclomol, confirmed that this compound induces a strong increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both GSCs and GdECs ultimately leading to a non-apoptotic copper-dependent cell death. Moreover, combined in vitro treatment with elesclomol and the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) enhanced the cytotoxicity compared to TMZ alone. Finally, we used our experimental model of mouse brain xenografts to test the combination of elesclomol and TMZ and confirmed their efficacy in vivo. Conclusions Our results support further evaluation of therapeutics targeting oxidative stress such as elesclomol with the aim of satisfying the high unmet medical need in the management of GBM.

scholarly journals Reactive Oxygen Species-Triggered Trophoblast Apoptosis Is Initiated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via Activation of Caspase-12, CHOP, and the JNK Pathway in Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Mice

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 2121-2132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiucai Xu ◽  
Tingting Liu ◽  
Aimei Zhang ◽  
Xingxing Huo ◽  
Qingli Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Jnk Pathway ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Caspase 12

ABSTRACTToxoplasma gondiiinfection in pregnant women may result in abortion or in fetal teratogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this paper, based on a murine model, we showed that maternal infection with RH strainT. gondiitachyzoites induced elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), local oxidative stress, and subsequent apoptosis of placental trophoblasts. PCR array analysis of 84 oxidative stress-related genes demonstrated that 27 genes were upregulated at least 2-fold and that 9 genes were downregulated at least 2-fold in theT. gondiiinfection group compared with levels in the control group. The expression of NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) and glutathione peroxidase 6 (Gpx6) increased significantly, about 25-fold. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) increased significantly withT. gondiiinfection, and levels of glutathione (GSH) decreased rapidly.T. gondiiinfection increased the early expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers, followed by cleavage of caspase-12, activation of ASK1/JNK, and increased apoptosis of trophoblasts, bothin vivoandin vitro. The apoptosis of trophoblasts, the activation of caspase-12 and the ASK1/JNK pathway, and the production of peroxides were dramatically inhibited by pretreatment withN-acetylcysteine (NAC). The upregulation of Nox1 was contact dependent and preceded the increase in levels of ERS markers and the activation of the proapoptosis cascade. Thus, we concluded that apoptosis in placental trophoblasts was initiated predominantly by ROS-mediated ERS via activation of caspase-12, CHOP, and the JNK pathway in acuteT. gondiiinfection. Elevated ROS production is the central event inT. gondii-induced apoptosis of placental trophoblasts.

scholarly journals Phage-Antibiotic Synergy via Delayed Lysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjin Kim ◽  
Yunyeol Jo ◽  
Yoon Jung Hwang ◽  
Hye Won Hong ◽  
Sung Sik Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Particle Assembly ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Membrane ◽  
Quinolone Antibiotics ◽  
Phage Production

ABSTRACTWhen phages infect bacteria cultured in the presence of sublethal doses of antibiotics, the sizes of the phage plaques are significantly increased. This phenomenon is known as phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS). In this study, the observation of PAS was extended to a wide variety of bacterium-phage pairs using different classes of antibiotics. PAS was shown in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cells stressed with β-lactam antibiotics filamented or swelled extensively, resulting in an increase in phage production. PAS was also sometimes observed in the presence of other classes of antibiotics with or without bacterial filamentation. The addition of antibiotics inducedrecAexpression in various bacteria, but arecAdeletion mutant strain ofEscherichia colialso showed filamentation and PAS in the presence of quinolone antibiotics. The phage adsorption efficiency did not change in the presence of the antibiotics when the cell surfaces were enlarged as they filamented. Increases in the production of phage DNA and mRNAs encoding phage proteins were observed in these cells, with only a limited increase in protein production. The data suggest that PAS is the product of a prolonged period of particle assembly due to delayed lysis. The increase in the cell surface area far exceeded the increase in phage holin production in the filamented host cells, leading to a relatively limited availability of intracellular holins for aggregating and forming holes in the host membrane. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress also led to an increased production of phages, while heat stress resulted in only a limited increase in phage production.IMPORTANCEPhage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) has been reported for a decade, but the underlying mechanism has never been vigorously investigated. This study shows the presence of PAS from a variety of phage-bacterium-antibiotic pairings. We show that increased phage production resulted directly from a lysis delay caused by the relative shortage of holin in filamented bacterial hosts in the presence of sublethal concentrations of stress-inducing substances, such as antibiotics and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document