Procyclic trypanosomes recycle glucose catabolites and TCA cycle intermediates to stimulate growth in the presence of physiological amounts of proline

Trypanosoma brucei, a protist responsible for human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), is transmitted by the tsetse fly where the procyclic forms of the parasite develop in the proline-rich (1–2 mM) and glucose-depleted digestive tract. Proline is essential for the midgut colonization of the parasite in the insect vector, however other carbon sources could be available and used to feed its central metabolism. Here we show that procyclic trypanosomes can consume and metabolize metabolic intermediates, including those excreted from glucose catabolism (succinate, alanine and pyruvate), with the exception of acetate, which is the ultimate end-product excreted by the parasite. Among the tested metabolites, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates (succinate, malate and α-ketoglutarate) stimulated growth of the parasite in the presence of 2 mM proline. The pathways used for their metabolism were mapped by proton-NMR metabolic profiling and phenotypic analyses of thirteen RNAi and/or null mutants affecting central carbon metabolism. We showed that (i) malate is converted to succinate by both the reducing and oxidative branches of the TCA cycle, which demonstrates that procyclic trypanosomes can use the full TCA cycle, (ii) the enormous rate of α-ketoglutarate consumption (15-times higher than glucose) is possible thanks to the balanced production and consumption of NADH at the substrate level and (iii) α-ketoglutarate is toxic for trypanosomes if not appropriately metabolized as observed for an α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase null mutant. In addition, epimastigotes produced from procyclics upon overexpression of RBP6 showed a growth defect in the presence of 2 mM proline, which is rescued by α-ketoglutarate, suggesting that physiological amounts of proline are not sufficient per se for the development of trypanosomes in the fly. In conclusion, these data show that trypanosomes can metabolize multiple metabolites, in addition to proline, which allows them to confront challenging environments in the fly.

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Fly stage trypanosomes recycle glucose catabolites and TCA cycle intermediates to stimulate growth in near physiological conditions

10.1101/2020.12.17.423221 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oriana Villafraz ◽

Marc Biran ◽

Erika Pineda ◽

Nicolas Plazolles ◽

Edern Cahoreau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sources ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid ◽

Tsetse Fly ◽

Growth Defect ◽

Insect Vector ◽

Metabolic Potential ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates

AbstractTrypanosoma brucei, a protist responsible for human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), is transmitted by the tsetse fly, where the procyclic forms of the parasite develop in the proline-rich (1-2 mM) and glucose-depleted digestive tract. Proline is essential for the midgut colonization of the parasite in the insect vector, however other carbon sources could be available and used to feed its central metabolism. Here we show that procyclic trypanosomes can consume and metabolize metabolic intermediates, including those excreted from glucose catabolism (succinate, alanine and pyruvate), with the exception of acetate, which is the ultimate end-product excreted by the parasite. Among the tested metabolites, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates (succinate, malate and α-ketoglutarate) stimulated growth of the parasite in the presence of 2 mM proline. The pathways used for their metabolism were mapped by proton-NMR metabolic profiling and phenotypic analyses of a dozen RNAi and/or null mutants affecting central carbon metabolism. We showed that (i) malate is converted to succinate by both the reducing and oxidative branches of the TCA cycle, which demonstrates that procyclic trypanosomes can use the full TCA cycle, (ii) the enormous rate of α-ketoglutarate consumption (15-times higher than glucose) is possible thanks to the balanced production and consumption of NADH at the substrate level and (iii) α-ketoglutarate is toxic for trypanosomes if not appropriately metabolized as observed for an α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase null mutant. In addition, epimastigotes produced from procyclics upon overexpression of RBP6, showed a growth defect in the presence of 2 mM proline, which is rescued by α-ketoglutarate, suggesting that physiological amounts of proline are not sufficient per se for the development of trypanosomes in the fly. In conclusion, these data show that trypanosomes can metabolize multiple metabolites, in addition to proline, which allows them to confront challenging environments in the fly.Author SummaryIn the midgut of its insect vector, trypanosomes rely on proline to feed their energy metabolism. However, the availability of other potential carbon sources that can be used by the parasite is currently unknown. Here we show that tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, i.e. succinate, malate and α-ketoglutarate, stimulate growth of procyclic trypanosomes incubated in medium containing 2 mM proline, which is in the range of the amounts measured in the midgut of the fly. Some of these additional carbon sources are needed for the development of epimastigotes, which differentiate from procyclics in the midgut of the fly, since their growth defect observed in the presence of 2 mM proline is rescued by addition of α-ketoglutarate. In addition, we have implemented new approaches to study a poorly explored branch of the TCA cycle converting malate to α-ketoglutarate, which was previously described as non-functional in the parasite, regardless of the glucose levels available. The discovery of this branch reveals that a full TCA cycle can operate in procyclic trypanosomes. Our data broaden the metabolic potential of trypanosomes and pave the way for a better understanding of the parasite’s metabolism in various organ systems of the tsetse fly, where it evolves.

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Regulation of acetate metabolism and coordination with the TCA cycle via a processed small RNA

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1815288116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 116 (3) ◽

pp. 1043-1052 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

François De Mets ◽

Laurence Van Melderen ◽

Susan Gottesman

Keyword(s):

Small Rna ◽

Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Central Carbon Metabolism ◽

Growth Defect ◽

Acetate Metabolism ◽

Overflow Metabolism ◽

Acetyl Phosphate ◽

Rnase E ◽

The Tca Cycle

Bacterial regulatory small RNAs act as crucial regulators in central carbon metabolism by modulating translation initiation and degradation of target mRNAs in metabolic pathways. Here, we demonstrate that a noncoding small RNA, SdhX, is produced by RNase E-dependent processing from the 3′UTR of thesdhCDAB-sucABCDoperon, encoding enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. InEscherichia coli, SdhX negatively regulatesackA, which encodes an enzyme critical for degradation of the signaling molecule acetyl phosphate, while the downstreamptagene, encoding the enzyme critical for acetyl phosphate synthesis, is not significantly affected. This discoordinate regulation ofptaandackAincreases the accumulation of acetyl phosphate when SdhX is expressed. Mutations insdhXthat abolish regulation ofackAlead to more acetate in the medium (more overflow metabolism), as well as a strong growth defect in the presence of acetate as sole carbon source, when the AckA-Pta pathway runs in reverse. SdhX overproduction confers resistance to hydroxyurea, via regulation ofackA. SdhX abundance is tightly coupled to the transcription signals of TCA cycle genes but escapes all known posttranscriptional regulation. Therefore, SdhX expression directly correlates with transcriptional input to the TCA cycle, providing an effective mechanism for the cell to link the TCA cycle with acetate metabolism pathways.

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Differential and shared effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on serum metabolome in subjects with chronic inflammation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95590-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wan-Chi Chang ◽

Jisun So ◽

Stefania Lamon-Fava

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽

Eicosapentaenoic Acid ◽

Chronic Inflammation ◽

Cell Function ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Differential Effects ◽

Epa And Dha ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates

AbstractThe omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect cell function and metabolism, but the differential effects of EPA and DHA are not known. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover study, we assessed the effects of 10-week supplementation with EPA-only and DHA-only (3 g/d), relative to a 4-week lead-in phase of high oleic acid sunflower oil (3 g/day, defined as baseline), on fasting serum metabolites in 21 subjects (9 men and 12 post-menopausal women) with chronic inflammation and some characteristics of metabolic syndrome. Relative to baseline, EPA significantly lowered the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates fumarate and α-ketoglutarate and increased glucuronate, UDP-glucuronate, and non-esterified DHA. DHA significantly lowered the TCA cycle intermediates pyruvate, citrate, isocitrate, fumarate, α-ketoglutarate, and malate, and increased succinate and glucuronate. Pathway analysis showed that both EPA and DHA significantly affected the TCA cycle, the interconversion of pentose and glucuronate, and alanine, and aspartate and glutamate pathways (FDR < 0.05) and that DHA had a significantly greater effect on the TCA cycle than EPA. Our results indicate that EPA and DHA exhibit both common and differential effects on cell metabolism in subjects with chronic inflammation and some key aspects of metabolic syndrome.

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Glutamate availability is important in intramuscular amino acid metabolism and TCA cycle intermediates but does not affect peak oxidative metabolism

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.90394.2008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 105 (2) ◽

pp. 547-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. Mourtzakis ◽

T. E. Graham ◽

J. González-Alonso ◽

B. Saltin

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Metabolism ◽

Acid Metabolism ◽

Glutamate Uptake ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽

Peak Exercise ◽

Early Exercise ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates

Muscle glutamate is central to reactions producing 2-oxoglutarate, a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediate that essentially expands the TCA cycle intermediate pool during exercise. Paradoxically, muscle glutamate drops ∼40–80% with the onset of exercise and 2-oxoglutarate declines in early exercise. To investigate the physiological relationship between glutamate, oxidative metabolism, and TCA cycle intermediates (i.e., fumarate, malate, 2-oxoglutarate), healthy subjects trained (T) the quadriceps of one thigh on the single-legged knee extensor ergometer (1 h/day at 70% maximum workload for 5 days/wk), while their contralateral quadriceps remained untrained (UT). After 5 wk of training, peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak) in the T thigh was greater than that in the UT thigh ( P < 0.05); V̇o2peak was not different between the T and UT thighs with glutamate infusion. Peak exercise under control conditions revealed a greater glutamate uptake in the T thigh compared with rest (7.3 ± 3.7 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 μmol·min−1·kg wet wt−1, P < 0.05) without increase in TCA cycle intermediates. In the UT thigh, peak exercise (vs. rest) induced an increase in fumarate (0.33 ± 0.07 vs. 0.02 ± 0.01 mmol/kg dry wt (dw), P < 0.05) and malate (2.2 ± 0.4 vs. 0.5 ± 0.03 mmol/kg dw, P < 0.05) and a decrease in 2-oxoglutarate (12.2 ± 1.6 vs. 32.4 ± 6.8 μmol/kg dw, P < 0.05). Overall, glutamate infusion increased arterial glutamate ( P < 0.05) and maintained this increase. Glutamate infusion coincided with elevated fumarate and malate ( P < 0.05) and decreased 2-oxoglutarate ( P < 0.05) at peak exercise relative to rest in the T thigh; there were no further changes in the UT thigh. Although glutamate may have a role in the expansion of the TCA cycle, glutamate and TCA cycle intermediates do not directly affect V̇o2peak in either trained or untrained muscle.

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Ammonia inhibits energy metabolism in astrocytes in a rapid and glutamate dehydrogenase 2-dependent manner

Disease Models & Mechanisms ◽

10.1242/dmm.047134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. dmm047134

Author(s):

Leonie Drews ◽

Marcel Zimmermann ◽

Philipp Westhoff ◽

Dominik Brilhaus ◽

Rebecca E. Poss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Energy Metabolism ◽

Glutamate Dehydrogenase ◽

Mitochondrial Respiration ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Independent Manner ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Branched Chain ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates

ABSTRACTAstrocyte dysfunction is a primary factor in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) impairing neuronal activity under hyperammonemia. In particular, the early events causing ammonia-induced toxicity to astrocytes are not well understood. Using established cellular HE models, we show that mitochondria rapidly undergo fragmentation in a reversible manner upon hyperammonemia. Further, in our analyses, within a timescale of minutes, mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis were hampered, which occurred in a pH-independent manner. Using metabolomics, an accumulation of glucose and numerous amino acids, including branched chain amino acids, was observed. Metabolomic tracking of 15N-labeled ammonia showed rapid incorporation of 15N into glutamate and glutamate-derived amino acids. Downregulating human GLUD2 [encoding mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase 2 (GDH2)], inhibiting GDH2 activity by SIRT4 overexpression, and supplementing cells with glutamate or glutamine alleviated ammonia-induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Metabolomic tracking of 13C-glutamine showed that hyperammonemia can inhibit anaplerosis of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. Contrary to its classical anaplerotic role, we show that, under hyperammonemia, GDH2 catalyzes the removal of ammonia by reductive amination of α-ketoglutarate, which efficiently and rapidly inhibits the TCA cycle. Overall, we propose a critical GDH2-dependent mechanism in HE models that helps to remove ammonia, but also impairs energy metabolism in mitochondria rapidly.

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Comparative metabolomics of Phialemonium curvatum as an omnipotent fungus cultivated on crude palm oil versus glucose

Microbial Cell Factories ◽

10.1186/s12934-020-01434-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arief Izzairy Zamani ◽

Susann Barig ◽

Sarah Ibrahim ◽

Hirzun Mohd. Yusof ◽

Julia Ibrahim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Source ◽

Organic Acids ◽

Vegetable Oil ◽

Carbon Metabolism ◽

Sole Carbon Source ◽

Carbon Sources ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Central Carbon Metabolism ◽

Targeted Metabolomics ◽

Central Carbon

Abstract Background Sugars and triglycerides are common carbon sources for microorganisms. Nonetheless, a systematic comparative interpretation of metabolic changes upon vegetable oil or glucose as sole carbon source is still lacking. Selected fungi that can grow in acidic mineral salt media (MSM) with vegetable oil had been identified recently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the overall metabolite changes of an omnipotent fungus and to reveal changes at central carbon metabolism corresponding to both carbon sources. Results Targeted and non-targeted metabolomics for both polar and semi-polar metabolites of Phialemonium curvatum AWO2 (DSM 23903) cultivated in MSM with palm oil (MSM-P) or glucose (MSM-G) as carbon sources were obtained. Targeted metabolomics on central carbon metabolism of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glyoxylate cycle were analysed using LC–MS/MS-TripleQ and GC–MS, while untargeted metabolite profiling was performed using LC–MS/MS-QTOF followed by multivariate analysis. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that glyoxylate pathway and TCA cycle were recruited at central carbon metabolism for triglyceride and glucose catabolism, respectively. Significant differences in organic acids concentration of about 4- to 8-fold were observed for citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and oxaloacetic acid. Correlation of organic acids concentration and key enzymes involved in the central carbon metabolism was further determined by enzymatic assays. On the other hand, the untargeted profiling revealed seven metabolites undergoing significant changes between MSM-P and MSM-G cultures. Conclusions Overall, this study has provided insights on the understanding on the effect of triglycerides and sugar as carbon source in fungi global metabolic pathway, which might become important for future optimization of carbon flux engineering in fungi to improve organic acids production when vegetable oil is applied as the sole carbon source.

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Evidence for reverse flux through pyruvate kinase in skeletal muscle

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.90935.2008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 296 (4) ◽

pp. E748-E757 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Eunsook S. Jin ◽

A. Dean Sherry ◽

Craig R. Malloy

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Glucose Production ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Hepatic Glycogen ◽

Direct Transfer ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates ◽

Minced Muscle ◽

Labeling Pattern

Conversion of lactate to glucose was examined in myotubes, minced muscle tissue, and rats exposed to 2H2O or 13C-enriched substrates. Myotubes or minced skeletal muscle incubated with [U-13C3]lactate released small amounts of [1,2,3-13C3]- or [4,5,6-13C3]glucose. This labeling pattern is consistent with direct transfer from lactate to glucose without randomization in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. After exposure of incubated muscle to 2H2O, [U-13C3]lactate, glucose, and glutamine, there was minimal release of synthesized glucose to the medium based on a low level of 2H enrichment in medium glucose but 50- to 100-fold greater 2H enrichment in glucosyl units from glycogen. The 13C enrichment pattern in glycogen from incubated skeletal muscle was consistent only with direct transfer of lactate to glucose without exchange in TCA cycle intermediates. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of glutamate from the same tissue showed flux from lactate through pyruvate dehydrogenase but not flux through pyruvate carboxylase into the TCA cycle. Carbon from an alternative substrate for glucose production that requires metabolism through the TCA cycle, propionate, did not enter glycogen, suggesting that TCA cycle intermediates do not exchange with phospho enolpyruvate. In vivo, the 13C labeling patterns in hepatic glycogen and plasma glucose after administration of [U-13C3]lactate did not differ significantly. However, skeletal muscle glycogen was substantially enriched in [1,2,3-13C3]- and [4,5,6-13C3]glucose units that could only occur through skeletal muscle glyconeogenesis rather than glycogenesis. Lactate serves as a substrate for glyconeogenesis in vivo without exchange into symmetric intermediates of the TCA cycle.

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Regulation of the acuF Gene, Encoding Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase in the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus nidulans

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.184.1.183-190.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 184 (1) ◽

pp. 183-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Michael J. Hynes ◽

Oliver W. Draht ◽

Meryl A. Davis

Keyword(s):

Carbon Source ◽

Aspergillus Nidulans ◽

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase ◽

Carbon Sources ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Northern Blotting ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Key Enzyme ◽

Acetate Utilization

ABSTRACT Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is a key enzyme required for gluconeogenesis when microorganisms grow on carbon sources metabolized via the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Aspergillus nidulans acuF mutants isolated by their inability to use acetate as a carbon source specifically lack PEPCK. The acuF gene has been cloned and shown to encode a protein with high similarity to PEPCK from bacteria, plants, and fungi. The regulation of acuF expression has been studied by Northern blotting and by the construction of lacZ fusion reporters. Induction by acetate is abolished in mutants unable to metabolize acetate via the TCA cycle, and induction by amino acids metabolized via 2-oxoglutarate is lost in mutants unable to form 2-oxoglutarate. Induction by acetate and proline is not additive, consistent with a single mechanism of induction. Malate and succinate result in induction, and it is proposed that PEPCK is controlled by a novel mechanism of induction by a TCA cycle intermediate or derivative, thereby allowing gluconeogenesis to occur during growth on any carbon source metabolized via the TCA cycle. It has been shown that the facB gene, which mediates acetate induction of enzymes specifically required for acetate utilization, is not directly involved in PEPCK induction. This is in contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where Cat8p and Sip4p, homologs of FacB, regulate PEPCK as well as the expression of other genes necessary for growth on nonfermentable carbon sources in response to the carbon source present. This difference in the control of gluconeogenesis reflects the ability of A. nidulans and other filamentous fungi to use a wide variety of carbon sources in comparison with S. cerevisiae. The acuF gene was also found to be subject to activation by the CCAAT binding protein AnCF, a protein homologous to the S. cerevisiae Hap complex and the mammalian NFY complex.

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Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle Intermediates: Regulators of Immune Responses

10.20944/preprints202012.0810.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Inseok Choi ◽

Hyewon Son ◽

Jea-Hyun Baek

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid ◽

Cell Stress ◽

Danger Signals ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Tca Cycle Intermediates

Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) is a series of chemical reactions in aerobic organisms used to generate energy via the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fatty acids, and proteins. In the eukaryotic system, the TCA cycle completely occurs in mitochondria, while the intermediates of the TCA cycle are retained in mitochondria due to their polarity and hydrophilicity. Under conditions of cell stress, mitochondria become disrupted and release their contents, which act as danger signals in the cytosol. Of note, the TCA cycle intermediates may also leak from dysfunctioning mitochondria and regulate cellular processes. Increasing evidence shows that the metabolites of the TCA cycle are substantially involved in the regulation of immune responses. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive systematic overview of the molecular mechanisms of each TCA cycle intermediate that may play key roles in regulating cellular immunity in cell stress and discuss their implications for immune activation and suppression.

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Role of Gluconeogenesis and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle in the Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in BALB/c Mice

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.74.2.1130-1140.2006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 1130-1140 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Merlin Tchawa Yimga ◽

Mary P. Leatham ◽

James H. Allen ◽

David C. Laux ◽

Tyrrell Conway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽

Carbon Sources ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid ◽

Glyoxylate Bypass ◽

The Tca Cycle ◽

Mouse Tissues ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, the Cra protein (catabolite repressor/activator) regulates utilization of gluconeogenic carbon sources by activating transcription of genes in the gluconeogenic pathway, the glyoxylate bypass, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and electron transport and repressing genes encoding glycolytic enzymes. A serovar Typhimurium SR-11 Δcra mutant was recently reported to be avirulent in BALB/c mice via the peroral route, suggesting that gluconeogenesis may be required for virulence. In the present study, specific SR-11 genes in the gluconeogenic pathway were deleted (fbp, glpX, ppsA, and pckA), and the mutants were tested for virulence in BALB/c mice. The data show that SR-11 does not require gluconeogenesis to retain full virulence and suggest that as yet unidentified sugars are utilized by SR-11 for growth during infection of BALB/c mice. The data also suggest that the TCA cycle operates as a full cycle, i.e., a sucCD mutant, which prevents the conversion of succinyl coenzyme A to succinate, and an ΔsdhCDA mutant, which blocks the conversion of succinate to fumarate, were both attenuated, whereas both an SR-11 ΔaspA mutant and an SR-11 ΔfrdABC mutant, deficient in the ability to run the reductive branch of the TCA cycle, were fully virulent. Moreover, although it appears that SR-11 replenishes TCA cycle intermediates from substrates present in mouse tissues, fatty acid degradation and the glyoxylate bypass are not required, since an SR-11 ΔfadD mutant and an SR-11 ΔaceA mutant were both fully virulent.

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