scholarly journals Bacillus subtilis Regulators MntR and Zur Participate in Redox Cycling, Antibiotic Sensitivity, and Cell Wall Plasticity

2019 ◽  
Vol 202 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Randazzo ◽  
Jamila Anba-Mondoloni ◽  
Anne Aubert-Frambourg ◽  
Alain Guillot ◽  
Christine Pechoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽  
Transcriptional Regulators ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Beta Lactam Antibiotics

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis MntR and Zur transcriptional regulators control homeostasis of manganese and zinc, two essential elements required in various cellular processes. In this work, we describe the global impact of mntR and zur deletions at the protein level. Using a comprehensive proteomic approach, we showed that 33 and 55 proteins are differentially abundant in ΔmntR and Δzur cells, respectively, including proteins involved in metal acquisition, translation, central metabolism, and cell wall homeostasis. In addition, both mutants showed modifications in intracellular metal ion pools, with significant Mg2+ accumulation in the ΔmntR mutant. Phenotypic and morphological analyses of ΔmntR and Δzur mutants revealed their high sensitivity to lysozyme, beta-lactam antibiotics, and external oxidative stress. Mutant strains had a modified cell wall thickness and accumulated lower levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the wild-type strain. Remarkably, our results highlight an intimate connection between MntR, Zur, antibiotic sensitivity, and cell wall structure. IMPORTANCE Manganese and zinc are essential transition metals involved in many fundamental cellular processes, including protection against external oxidative stress. In Bacillus subtilis, Zur and MntR are key transcriptional regulators of zinc and manganese homeostasis, respectively. In this work, proteome analysis of B. subtilis wild-type, ΔmntR, and Δzur strains provided new insights into bacterial adaptation to deregulation of essential metal ions. Deletions of mntR and zur genes increased bacterial sensitivity to lysozyme, beta-lactam antibiotics, and external oxidative stress and impacted the cell wall thickness. Overall, these findings highlight that Zur and MntR regulatory networks are connected to antibiotic sensitivity and cell wall plasticity.

scholarly journals The Bacillus subtilis Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factor σVIs Induced by Lysozyme and Provides Resistance to Lysozyme

2011 ◽  
Vol 193 (22) ◽  
pp. 6215-6222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa D. Ho ◽  
Jessica L. Hastie ◽  
Peter J. Intile ◽  
Craig D. Ellermeier
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uncharacterized Gene ◽  
Σ Factor ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

Bacteria encounter numerous environmental stresses which can delay or inhibit their growth. Many bacteria utilize alternative σ factors to regulate subsets of genes required to overcome different extracellular assaults. The largest group of these alternative σ factors are the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. In this paper, we demonstrate that the expression of the ECF σ factor σVinBacillus subtilisis induced specifically by lysozyme but not other cell wall-damaging agents. A mutation insigVresults in increased sensitivity to lysozyme killing, suggesting that σVis required for lysozyme resistance. Using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, we show that the previously uncharacterized geneyrhL(here referred to asoatAforO-acetyltransferase) is in a four-gene operon which includessigVandrsiV. In quantitative RT-PCR experiments, the expression ofoatAis induced by lysozyme stress. Lysozyme induction ofoatAis dependent upon σV. Overexpression ofoatAin asigVmutant restores lysozyme resistance to wild-type levels. This suggests that OatA is required for σV-dependent resistance to lysozyme. We also tested the ability of lysozyme to induce the other ECF σ factors and found that only the expression ofsigVis lysozyme inducible. However, we found that the other ECF σ factors contributed to lysozyme resistance. We found thatsigXandsigMmutations alone had very little effect on lysozyme resistance but when combined with asigVmutation resulted in significantly greater lysozyme sensitivity than thesigVmutation alone. This suggests thatsigV,sigX, andsigMmay act synergistically to control lysozyme resistance. In addition, we show that two ECF σ factor-regulated genes,dltAandpbpX, are required for lysozyme resistance. Thus, we have identified three independent mechanisms whichB. subtilisutilizes to avoid killing by lysozyme.

scholarly journals Novel Combinations of Vancomycin plus Ceftaroline or Oxacillin against Methicillin-Resistant Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Heterogeneous VISA

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 2376-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Werth ◽  
C. Vidaillac ◽  
K. P. Murray ◽  
K. L. Newton ◽  
G. Sakoulas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Fluorescent Dye ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Significant Inverse Correlation ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Wall Interactions

ABSTRACTWe demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between vancomycin and beta-lactam susceptibilities in vancomycin-intermediateStaphylococcus aureus(VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) isolates. Using time-kill assays, vancomycin plus oxacillin or ceftaroline was synergistic against 3 of 5 VISA and 1 of 5 hVISA isolates or 5 of 5 VISA and 4 of 5 hVISA isolates, respectively. Beta-lactam exposure reduced overall vancomycin-Bodipy (dipyrrometheneboron difluoride [4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene] fluorescent dye) binding but may have improved vancomycin-cell wall interactions to improve vancomycin activity. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism behind vancomycin and beta-lactam synergy.

scholarly journals Neisseria gonorrhoeaePBP3 and PBP4 Facilitate NOD1 Agonist Peptidoglycan Fragment Release and Survival in Stationary Phase

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan E. Schaub ◽  
Krizia M. Perez-Medina ◽  
Kathleen T. Hackett ◽  
Daniel L. Garcia ◽  
Joseph P. Dillard
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cross Link ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lytic Transglycosylases ◽  
Penicillin Binding Proteins ◽  
Proinflammatory Molecules

ABSTRACTNeisseria gonorrhoeaereleases peptidoglycan fragments during growth, and these molecules induce an inflammatory response in the human host. The proinflammatory molecules include peptidoglycan monomers, peptidoglycan dimers, and free peptides. These molecules can be released by the actions of lytic transglycosylases or an amidase. However, >40% of the gonococcal cell wall is cross-linked, where the peptide stem on one peptidoglycan strand is linked to the peptide stem on a neighboring strand, suggesting that endopeptidases may be required for the release of many peptidoglycan fragments. Therefore, we characterized mutants with individual or combined mutations in genes for the low-molecular-mass penicillin-binding proteins PBP3 and PBP4. Mutations in eitherdacB, encoding PBP3, orpbpG, encoding PBP4, did not significantly reduce the release of peptidoglycan monomers or free peptides. A mutation indacBcaused the appearance of a larger-sized peptidoglycan monomer, the pentapeptide monomer, and an increased release of peptidoglycan dimers, suggesting the involvement of this enzyme in both the removal of C-terminald-Ala residues from stem peptides and the cleavage of cross-linked peptidoglycan. Mutation of bothdacBandpbpGeliminated the release of tripeptide-containing peptidoglycan fragments concomitantly with the appearance of pentapeptide and dipeptide peptidoglycan fragments and higher-molecular-weight peptidoglycan dimers. In accord with the loss of tripeptide peptidoglycan fragments, the level of human NOD1 activation by thedacB pbpGmutants was significantly lower than that by the wild type. We conclude that PBP3 and PBP4 overlap in function for cross-link cleavage and that these endopeptidases act in the normal release of peptidoglycan fragments during growth.

Comparison of Sensitivity Enterobacteriaceae of Extended Spectrum BetaLactamase (ESBL) against Antibiotics of Quinolone and Carbapenem Group in Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Conny Riana Tjampakasari ◽  
Alya Iranti ◽  
Tjahjani Mirawati Sudiro
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beta Lactam Antibiotics ◽  
Age Range

Antibiotic resistance is a challenge in medical problems. One prevalence of resistance that tends to expand globally is against ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, a group of bacteria capable of destroying beta-lactam antibiotics. The known ESBL producing bacteria are E. coli and K. pneumoniae. This study aims to compare the sensitivity of quinolone and carbapenem antibiotics to ESBL-producing bacteria based on data obtained from Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia through 2018-2019. Using the Vitek 2® Compact identification method, the results showed that the prevalence of E. coli and K. pneumoniae ESBL was positive less than 5%. All of the ESBL–producing E. coli came from urine specimens, while ESBLproducing K. pneumoniae came from different types of specimens which are sputum and blood. Most prevalence comes in the age range >50 years with female gender. In general, antibiotic sensitivity to the quinolones was less than 50% against ESBL-producing E. coli. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of carbapenem antibiotics reached 100% both against ESBL-producing E.coli and K.pneumoniae.

scholarly journals The Ser/Thr Kinase PrkC Participates in Cell Wall Homeostasis and Antimicrobial Resistance inClostridium difficile

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Cuenot ◽  
Transito Garcia-Garcia ◽  
Thibaut Douche ◽  
Olivier Gorgette ◽  
Pascal Courtin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Signal Transduction Networks ◽  
Mean Size

ABSTRACTClostridium difficileis the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in adults. During infection,C. difficilemust detect the host environment and induce an appropriate survival strategy. Signal transduction networks involving serine/threonine kinases (STKs) play key roles in adaptation, as they regulate numerous physiological processes. PrkC ofC. difficileis an STK with two PASTA domains. We showed that PrkC is membrane associated and is found at the septum. We observed that deletion ofprkCaffects cell morphology with an increase in mean size, cell length heterogeneity, and presence of abnormal septa. A ΔprkCmutant was able to sporulate and germinate but was less motile and formed more biofilm than the wild-type strain. Moreover, a ΔprkCmutant was more sensitive to antimicrobial compounds that target the cell envelope, such as the secondary bile salt deoxycholate, cephalosporins, cationic antimicrobial peptides, and lysozyme. This increased susceptibility was not associated with differences in peptidoglycan or polysaccharide II composition. However, the ΔprkCmutant had less peptidoglycan and released more polysaccharide II into the supernatant. A proteomic analysis showed that the majority ofC. difficileproteins associated with the cell wall were less abundant in the ΔprkCmutant than the wild-type strain. Finally, in a hamster model of infection, the ΔprkCmutant had a colonization delay that did not significantly affect overall virulence.

scholarly journals In Vivo Activity of QPX7728, an Ultrabroad-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor, in Combination with Beta-Lactams against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojgan Sabet ◽  
Ziad Tarazi ◽  
David C. Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Beta Lactamase ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Beta Lactams ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Clinical Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beta Lactam Antibiotics ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Lactamase Inhibitor

ABSTRACT Resistance to beta-lactams has created a major clinical issue. QPX7728 is a novel ultrabroad-spectrum cyclic boronic acid beta-lactamase inhibitor with activity against both serine and metallo-beta-lactamases developed to address this resistance for use in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the activity of QPX7728 in combination with multiple beta-lactams against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model. Neutropenic mice were infected with strains with potentiated beta-lactam MICs of ≤2 mg/liter in the presence of 8 mg/liter QPX7728. Two strains of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae were tested with aztreonam, biapenem, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftolozane, and meropenem alone or in combination with 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg of body weight of QPX7728 every 2 hours for 24 hours. Treatment with all beta-lactams alone either was bacteriostatic or allowed for bacterial growth. The combination of QPX7728 plus each of these beta-lactams produced bacterial killing at all QPX7728 doses tested. Overall, these data suggest that QPX7728 administered in combination with different partner beta-lactam antibiotics may have utility in the treatment of bacterial infections due to carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Bacteriophage SP01 Gene Product 56 Inhibits Bacillus subtilis Cell Division by Interacting with FtsL and Disrupting Pbp2B and FtsW Recruitment

2020 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. e00463-20
Author(s):  
Amit Bhambhani ◽  
Isabella Iadicicco ◽  
Jules Lee ◽  
Syed Ahmed ◽  
Max Belfatto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Lytic Bacteriophage ◽  
Cell Wall Synthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ftsz Ring ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACTPrevious work identified gene product 56 (gp56), encoded by the lytic bacteriophage SP01, as being responsible for inhibition of Bacillus subtilis cell division during its infection. Assembly of the essential tubulin-like protein FtsZ into a ring-shaped structure at the nascent site of cytokinesis determines the timing and position of division in most bacteria. This FtsZ ring serves as a scaffold for recruitment of other proteins into a mature division-competent structure permitting membrane constriction and septal cell wall synthesis. Here, we show that expression of the predicted 9.3-kDa gp56 of SP01 inhibits later stages of B. subtilis cell division without altering FtsZ ring assembly. Green fluorescent protein-tagged gp56 localizes to the membrane at the site of division. While its localization does not interfere with recruitment of early division proteins, gp56 interferes with the recruitment of late division proteins, including Pbp2b and FtsW. Imaging of cells with specific division components deleted or depleted and two-hybrid analyses suggest that gp56 localization and activity depend on its interaction with FtsL. Together, these data support a model in which gp56 interacts with a central part of the division machinery to disrupt late recruitment of the division proteins involved in septal cell wall synthesis.IMPORTANCE Studies over the past decades have identified bacteriophage-encoded factors that interfere with host cell shape or cytokinesis during viral infection. The phage factors causing cell filamentation that have been investigated to date all act by targeting FtsZ, the conserved prokaryotic tubulin homolog that composes the cytokinetic ring in most bacteria and some groups of archaea. However, the mechanisms of several phage factors that inhibit cytokinesis, including gp56 of bacteriophage SP01 of Bacillus subtilis, remain unexplored. Here, we show that, unlike other published examples of phage inhibition of cytokinesis, gp56 blocks B. subtilis cell division without targeting FtsZ. Rather, it utilizes the assembled FtsZ cytokinetic ring to localize to the division machinery and to block recruitment of proteins needed for septal cell wall synthesis.

scholarly journals Cardiolipin Alters Rhodobacter sphaeroides Cell Shape by Affecting Peptidoglycan Precursor Biosynthesis

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ti-Yu Lin ◽  
William S. Gross ◽  
George K. Auer ◽  
Douglas B. Weibel
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽  
Cell Morphology ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Anionic Phospholipid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lipid Ii ◽  
Topological Features

ABSTRACT Cardiolipin (CL) is an anionic phospholipid that plays an important role in regulating protein biochemistry in bacteria and mitochondria. Deleting the CL synthase gene (Δcls) in Rhodobacter sphaeroides depletes CL and decreases cell length by 20%. Using a chemical biology approach, we found that a CL deficiency does not impair the function of the cell wall elongasome in R. sphaeroides; instead, biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan (PG) precursor lipid II is decreased. Treating R. sphaeroides cells with fosfomycin and d-cycloserine inhibits lipid II biosynthesis and creates phenotypes in cell shape, PG composition, and spatial PG assembly that are strikingly similar to those seen with R. sphaeroides Δcls cells, suggesting that CL deficiency alters the elongation of R. sphaeroides cells by reducing lipid II biosynthesis. We found that MurG—a glycosyltransferase that performs the last step of lipid II biosynthesis—interacts with anionic phospholipids in native (i.e., R. sphaeroides) and artificial membranes. Lipid II production decreases 25% in R. sphaeroides Δcls cells compared to wild-type cells, and overexpression of MurG in R. sphaeroides Δcls cells restores their rod shape, indicating that CL deficiency decreases MurG activity and alters cell shape. The R. sphaeroides Δcls mutant is more sensitive than the wild-type strain to antibiotics targeting PG synthesis, including fosfomycin, d-cycloserine, S-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)isothiourea (A22), mecillinam, and ampicillin, suggesting that CL biosynthesis may be a potential target for combination chemotherapies that block the bacterial cell wall. IMPORTANCE The phospholipid composition of the cell membrane influences the spatial and temporal biochemistry of cells. We studied molecular mechanisms connecting membrane composition to cell morphology in the model bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The peptidoglycan (PG) layer of the cell wall is a dominant component of cell mechanical properties; consequently, it has been an important antibiotic target. We found that the anionic phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) plays a role in determination of the shape of R. sphaeroides cells by affecting PG precursor biosynthesis. Removing CL in R. sphaeroides alters cell morphology and increases its sensitivity to antibiotics targeting proteins synthesizing PG. These studies provide a connection to spatial biochemical control in mitochondria, which contain an inner membrane with topological features in common with R. sphaeroides.

scholarly journals SodA Contributes to the Virulence of Avian PathogenicEscherichia coliO2 Strain E058 in Experimentally Infected Chickens

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingqing Gao ◽  
Le Xia ◽  
Xiaobo Wang ◽  
Zhengqin Ye ◽  
Jinbiao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Virulence Factor ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Strain Identification ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTStrains of avian pathogenicEscherichia coli(APEC), the common pathogen of avian colibacillosis, encounter reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the infection process. Superoxide dismutases (SODs), acting as antioxidant factors, can protect against ROS-mediated host defenses. Our previous reports showed that thesodAgene (encoding a Mn-cofactor-containing SOD [MnSOD]) is highly expressed during the septicemic infection process of APEC.sodAhas been proven to be a virulence factor of certain pathogens, but its role in the pathogenicity of APEC has not been fully identified. In this study, we deleted thesodAgene from the virulent APEC O2 strain E058 and examined thein vitroandin vivophenotypes of the mutant. ThesodAmutant was more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide in terms of both its growth and viability than was the wild type. The ability to form a biofilm was weakened in thesodAmutant. ThesodAmutant was significantly more easily phagocytosed by chicken macrophages than was the wild-type strain. Chicken infection assays revealed significantly attenuated virulence of thesodAmutant compared with the wild type at 24 h postinfection. The virulence phenotype was restored by complementation of thesodAgene. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR revealed that the inactivation ofsodAreduced the expression of oxidative stress response geneskatE,perR, andosmCbut did not affect the expression ofsodBandsodC. Taken together, our studies indicate that SodA is important for oxidative resistance and virulence of APEC E058.IMPORTANCEAvian colibacillosis, caused by strains of avian pathogenicEscherichia coli, is a major bacterial disease of severe economic significance to the poultry industry worldwide. The virulence mechanisms of APEC are not completely understood. This study investigated the influence of an antioxidant protein, SodA, on the phenotype and pathogenicity of APEC O2 strain E058. This is the first report demonstrating that SodA plays an important role in protecting a specific APEC strain against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and contributes to the virulence of this pathotype strain. Identification of this virulence factor will enhance our knowledge of APEC pathogenic mechanisms, which is crucial for designing successful strategies against associated infections and transmission.

scholarly journals TheAspergillus flavus rtfAGene Regulates Plant and Animal Pathogenesis and Secondary Metabolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Lohmar ◽  
Olivier Puel ◽  
Jeffrey W. Cary ◽  
Ana M. Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Secondary Metabolism ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Host Tissue ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Global Regulator ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transcription Elongation Factor

ABSTRACTAspergillus flavusis an opportunistic fungal plant and human pathogen and a producer of mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1(AFB1). As part of our ongoing studies to elucidate the biological functions of theA. flavusrtfAgene, we examined its role in the pathogenicity of both plant and animal model systems.rtfAencodes a putative RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription elongation factor previously characterized inSaccharomyces cerevisiae,Aspergillus nidulans, andAspergillus fumigatus, where it was shown to regulate several important cellular processes, including morphogenesis and secondary metabolism. In addition, an initial study inA. flavusindicated thatrtfAalso influences development and production of AFB1; however, its effect on virulence is unknown. The current study reveals that thertfAgene is indispensable for normal pathogenicity in plants when using peanut seed as an infection model, as well as in animals, as shown in theGalleria mellonellainfection model. Interestingly,rtfApositively regulates several processes known to be necessary for successful fungal invasion and colonization of host tissue, such as adhesion to surfaces, protease and lipase activity, cell wall composition and integrity, and tolerance to oxidative stress. In addition, metabolomic analysis revealed thatA. flavusrtfAaffects the production of several secondary metabolites, including AFB1, aflatrem, leporins, aspirochlorine, ditryptophenaline, and aflavinines, supporting a role ofrtfAas a global regulator of secondary metabolism. Heterologous complementation of anA. flavusrtfAdeletion strain withrtfAhomologs fromA. nidulansorS. cerevisiaefully rescued the wild-type phenotype, indicating that thesertfAhomologs are functionally conserved among these three species.IMPORTANCEIn this study, the epigenetic global regulatorrtfA, which encodes a putative RNA-Pol II transcription elongation factor-like protein, was characterized in the mycotoxigenic and opportunistic pathogenA. flavus. Specifically, its involvement inA. flavuspathogenesis in plant and animal models was studied. Here, we show thatrtfApositively regulatesA. flavusvirulence in both models. Furthermore,rtfA-dependent effects on factors necessary for successful invasion and colonization of host tissue byA. flavuswere also assessed. Our study indicates thatrtfAplays a role inA. flavusadherence to surfaces, hydrolytic activity, normal cell wall formation, and response to oxidative stress. This study also revealed a profound effect ofrtfAon the metabolome ofA. flavus, including the production of potent mycotoxins.

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