Partial Complementation of Sinorhizobium meliloti bacA Mutant Phenotypes by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis BacA Protein
ABSTRACTTheSinorhizobium melilotiBacA ABC transporter protein plays an important role in its nodulating symbiosis with the legume alfalfa (Medicago sativa). TheMycobacterium tuberculosisBacA homolog was found to be important for the maintenance of chronic murine infections, yet itsin vivofunction is unknown. In the legume plant as well as in the mammalian host, bacteria encounter host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We found that theM. tuberculosisBacA protein was able to partially complement the symbiotic defect of anS. melilotiBacA-deficient mutant on alfalfa plants and to protect this mutantin vitrofrom the antimicrobial activity of a synthetic legume peptide, NCR247, and a recombinant human β-defensin 2 (HBD2). This finding was also confirmed using anM. tuberculosisinsertion mutant. Furthermore,M. tuberculosisBacA-mediated protection of the legume symbiontS. melilotiagainst legume defensins as well as HBD2 is dependent on its attached ATPase domain. In addition, we show thatM. tuberculosisBacA mediates peptide uptake of the truncated bovine AMP, Bac71-16. This process required a functional ATPase domain. We therefore suggest thatM. tuberculosisBacA is important for the transport of peptides across the cytoplasmic membrane and is part of a complete ABC transporter. Hence, BacA-mediated protection against host AMPs might be important for the maintenance of latent infections.