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Proteobactin and a yersiniabactin-related siderophore mediate iron acquisition in Proteus mirabilis

Stephanie D Himpsl1, Melanie M Pearson, Carl J Arewång

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Molecular Microbiology
|October 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis utilizes two siderophore systems, proteobactin and a yersiniabactin-related system, for iron acquisition during urinary tract infections (UTIs). The yersiniabactin-related system is crucial for bacterial fitness in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis is a significant cause of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Iron acquisition is critical for bacterial survival in the iron-limited urinary tract environment.
  • Iron acquisition mechanisms for P. mirabilis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the iron acquisition systems of Proteus mirabilis.
  • To identify and investigate novel siderophore systems involved in iron uptake.
  • To determine the in vivo relevance of identified siderophore systems during UTIs.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray analysis to identify iron-regulated genes under iron limitation.
  • Genetic manipulation (gene disruption) to study siderophore system function.
  • In vitro biochemical assays (cross-feeding, iron-chelating activity) and in vivo fitness studies.

Main Results:

  • Identified 21 putative iron-regulated systems, including two novel siderophore systems: proteobactin and a yersiniabactin-related system.
  • Demonstrated that both proteobactin and the yersiniabactin-related siderophore contribute to iron acquisition in vitro.
  • Showed that only the yersiniabactin-related siderophore system is essential for P. mirabilis fitness during in vivo UTIs.

Conclusions:

  • Proteus mirabilis employs both proteobactin and a distinct yersiniabactin-related siderophore for iron acquisition.
  • The yersiniabactin-related siderophore plays a critical role in P. mirabilis pathogenesis during UTIs.
  • This study highlights the in vivo importance of siderophore production for uropathogenic bacteria.

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