Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mntH functions in intracellular manganese accumulation, which is essential for virulence...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Host-Pathogen Interactions

Background:

• Manganese plays a role in bacterial virulence, but its specific function is not fully understood.
• Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a significant bacterial pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the manganese transporter MntH in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis virulence.
• To determine how manganese influences bacterial survival within host immune cells.

Main Methods:

• Created a null mutant of the mntH gene in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
• Assessed bacterial survival and growth in various conditions, including manganese-limited media and macrophages with functional or deficient Nramp1.
• Evaluated bacterial virulence in the Galleria mellonella infection model.

Main Results:

• The mntH mutant showed reduced intracellular manganese accumulation.
• The mutant was susceptible to reactive oxygen species under manganese-limited conditions.
• The mntH mutant exhibited impaired survival and growth in Nramp1-expressing macrophages but survived in Nramp1-deficient macrophages.
• The mntH mutant was attenuated in Galleria mellonella.

Conclusions:

• Manganese uptake is essential for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis virulence.
• Manganese protects the bacteria from host antimicrobial defenses, such as reactive oxygen species within macrophages.
• The MntH transporter is critical for bacterial survival during host infection.