Mammalian cell entry genes in Streptomyces may provide clues to the evolution of bacterial virulence.
Understanding the evolution of virulence is key to appreciating the role specific loci play in pathogenicity. Streptomyces species are generally non-pathogenic soil saprophytes, yet within their genome we can find homologues of virulence loci. One example of this is the mammalian cell entry (mce) locus, which has been characterised in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To investigate the role in Streptomyces we deleted the mce locus and studied its impact on cell survival, morphology and interaction with other soil organisms. Disruption of the mce cluster resulted in virulence towards amoebae (Acanthamoeba polyphaga) and reduced colonization of plant (Arabidopsis) models, indicating these genes may play an important role in Streptomyces survival in the environment. Our data suggest that loss of mce in Streptomyces spp. may have profound effects on survival in a competitive soil environment, and provides insight in to the evolution and selection of these genes as virulence factors in related pathogenic organisms.
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
Laura C
LC
Clark
Ryan F
RF
Seipke
Pilar
P
Prieto
Joost
J
Willemse
Gilles P
GP
van Wezel
Matthew I
MI
Hutchings
Paul A
PA
Hoskisson
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008322:Mammals; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C100938:MtrA protein, Bacteria; C079092:MtrB protein, Bacteria; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D037521:Virulence Factors