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Pyruvate-associated acid resistance in bacteria
Jianting Wu1, Yannan Li2, Zhiming Cai3
1Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|May 6, 2014
Summary
Glucose protects bacteria from acid by producing pyruvate, which activates the Spot42 small RNA and RpoS regulator. This pyruvate pathway enhances bacterial acid resistance, independent of the cAMP-CRP complex.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Physiology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Glucose promotes bacterial acid resistance by lowering cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) complex levels, thus activating specific genes.
- Existing knowledge suggests cAMP-CRP complex repression is the primary mechanism for glucose-mediated acid resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate a second, distinct mechanism by which glucose confers acid resistance in bacteria.
- To investigate the role of pyruvate and small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in glucose-induced acid resistance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression changes in bacteria grown under varying glucose and pyruvate conditions.
- Investigating the role of the sncRNA Spot42 and the master regulator RpoS in acid resistance.
- Manipulating pyruvate metabolism pathways, including pyruvate-acetate efflux, to assess effects on acid resistance.
Main Results:
- Glucose induces acid resistance via pyruvate, a glycolysis product, which activates the sncRNA Spot42.
- Spot42, in turn, upregulates the acid resistance master regulator RpoS.
- Pyruvate-mediated acid resistance functions independently of the cAMP-CRP complex and can be modulated by controlling pyruvate production and efflux.
Conclusions:
- A novel glucose-dependent acid resistance pathway involving pyruvate, Spot42, and RpoS has been identified.
- Bacterial acid resistance is influenced by metabolic intermediates like pyruvate, offering potential regulatory control points.
- This pyruvate-associated acid resistance mechanism is relevant for bacteria grown on various sugars, not just glucose.
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