Media ion composition controls regulatory and virulence response of Salmonella in spaceflight.
The spaceflight environment is relevant to conditions encountered by pathogens during the course of infection and induces novel changes in microbial pathogenesis not observed using conventional methods. It is unclear how microbial cells sense spaceflight-associated changes to their growth environment and orchestrate corresponding changes in molecular and physiological phenotypes relevant to the infection process. Here we report that spaceflight-induced increases in Salmonella virulence are regulated by media ion composition, and that phosphate ion is sufficient to alter related pathogenesis responses in a spaceflight analogue model. Using whole genome microarray and proteomic analyses from two independent Space Shuttle missions, we identified evolutionarily conserved molecular pathways in Salmonella that respond to spaceflight under all media compositions tested. Identification of conserved regulatory paradigms opens new avenues to control microbial responses during the infection process and holds promise to provide an improved understanding of human health and disease on Earth.
Wilson
James W
JW
The Biodesign Institute, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America.
Ott
C Mark
CM
Quick
Laura
L
Davis
Richard
R
Höner zu Bentrup
Kerstin
K
Crabbé
Aurélie
A
Richter
Emily
E
Sarker
Shameema
S
Barrila
Jennifer
J
Porwollik
Steffen
S
Cheng
Pui
P
McClelland
Michael
M
Tsaprailis
George
G
Radabaugh
Timothy
T
Hunt
Andrea
A
Shah
Miti
M
Nelman-Gonzalez
Mayra
M
Hing
Steve
S
Parra
Macarena
M
Dumars
Paula
P
Norwood
Kelly
K
Bober
Ramona
R
Devich
Jennifer
J
Ruggles
Ashleigh
A
CdeBaca
Autumn
A
Narayan
Satro
S
Benjamin
Joseph
J
Goulart
Carla
C
Rupert
Mark
M
Catella
Luke
L
Schurr
Michael J
MJ
Buchanan
Kent
K
Morici
Lisa
L
McCracken
James
J
Porter
Marc D
MD
Pierson
Duane L
DL
Smith
Scott M
SM
Mergeay
Max
M
Leys
Natalie
N
Stefanyshyn-Piper
Heidemarie M
HM
Gorie
Dominic
D
Nickerson
Cheryl A
CA
D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D007477:Ions; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D051379:Mice; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012475:Salmonella / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013026:Space Flight; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D003470:Culture Media; D007477:Ions; D010710:Phosphates