Impact of DFMO and AMXT 1501 on Gene Expression and Capsule Regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), a Gram-positive bacterium, poses a significant threat to human health, causing mild respiratory infections to severe invasive conditions. Despite availability of vaccines, challenges persist due to serotype replacement and antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. This study explores the intriguing role of polyamines, ubiquitous, small organic cations, in modulating virulence factors, especially the capsule, a crucial determinant of Spn's pathogenicity. Utilizing chemical inhibitors, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and AMXT 1501, this research unveils distinct regulatory effects on the gene expression of Spn D39 serotype in response to altered polyamine homeostasis. DFMO inhibits polyamine biosynthesis, disrupting pathways associated with glucose import and interconversion of sugars. In contrast, AMXT 1501, targeting polyamine transport, enhances the expression of polyamine and glucose biosynthesis genes, presenting a novel avenue for regulating the capsule independent of glucose availability. Despite ample glucose availability, AMXT 1501 treatment downregulates glycolytic pathway, fatty acid synthesis and ATP synthase, crucial for energy production while upregulating two-component systems responsible for stress management. This suggests a potential shutdown of energy production and capsule biosynthesis, redirecting resources towards stress management. Following DFMO and AMXT 1501 treatments, countermeasures such as upregulation of stress response genes and ribosomal protein were observed but appear to be insufficient to overcome the deleterious effects on capsule production. This study highlights the complexity of polyamine-mediated regulation in S. pneumoniae, particularly, capsule biosynthesis. Our findings offer valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for modulation of capsule in a polyamine dependent manner, a promising avenue for intervention against S. pneumoniae infections. Overall design: To comprehensively examine the influence of the polyamine synthesis inhibitor (DFMO) and the transport inhibitor (AMXT 1501) on the gene expression of Streptococcus pneumoniae D39, our study aims to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying capsule regulation by polyamines.