Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 induces MefE/Mel-mediated macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Macrolide resistance is a major concern in the treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Inducible macrolide resistance in this pneumococcus is mediated by the efflux pump MefE/Mel. We show here that the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 induces the mefE promoter and confers resistance to erythromycin and LL-37. Such induction may impact the efficacy of host defenses and of macrolide-based treatment of pneumococcal disease.
Zähner
Dorothea
D
Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Zhou
Xiaoliu
X
Chancey
Scott T
ST
Pohl
Jan
J
Shafer
William M
WM
Stephens
David S
DS
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D054804:Cathelicidins; D018942:Macrolides; C431304:MefE protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae; D008565:Membrane Proteins