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Effects of subminimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on the Pasteurella multocida proteome

Bindu Nanduri1, Mark L Lawrence, Carolyn R Boyle

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA.

Journal of Proteome Research
|March 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics can be effective, but mechanisms are unclear. This study reveals how sub-MIC antibiotic treatments alter Pasteurella multocida protein expression and identifies adaptive responses.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Proteomics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics can exert therapeutic effects, yet the molecular underpinnings remain poorly understood.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing antibiotic therapy and combating resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the proteome response of Pasteurella multocida to sub-MICs of amoxicillin, chlortetracycline, and enrofloxacin.
  • To identify potential molecular mechanisms and compensatory strategies employed by bacteria under sub-inhibitory antibiotic stress.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT) to perform a comprehensive proteomic analysis.
  • Quantified changes in protein expression in response to different sub-MIC antibiotic treatments.
  • Analyzed protein expression patterns in relation to Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) categories.

Main Results:

  • Observed parallel effects of sub-MIC antibiotics on growth kinetics inhibition and protein expression suppression across COG categories.
  • Identified specific protein expression alterations induced by amoxicillin, chlortetracycline, and enrofloxacin.
  • Discovered potential bacterial adaptation mechanisms, such as increased RecA expression in response to enrofloxacin.

Conclusions:

  • Sub-MIC antibiotic exposure significantly impacts bacterial proteomes, affecting growth and protein expression.
  • The proteomic response provides insights into bacterial adaptation strategies under sub-inhibitory antibiotic pressure.
  • Enrofloxacin, at sub-MICs, can induce adaptive responses like increased RecA expression in Pasteurella multocida.

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