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Novel Two-Step Hierarchical Screening of Mutant Pools Reveals Mutants under Selection in Chicks
Hee-Jeong Yang1, Lydia M Bogomolnaya1,2, Johanna R Elfenbein1
1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|February 10, 2016
Summary
Researchers identified six new Salmonella genes essential for chicken colonization and persistence. One gene, STM1297 (selD), highlights the importance of formate metabolism during infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Contaminated poultry products are a primary source of human salmonellosis.
- Salmonella Typhimurium colonization strategies in chickens remain poorly understood.
- Identifying key bacterial genes is crucial for controlling poultry-associated infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover novel Salmonella Typhimurium genes involved in chicken colonization and persistence.
- To elucidate bacterial mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions in poultry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel two-step hierarchical screening strategy with Salmonella Typhimurium mutant libraries.
- Assayed gene selection across multiple time points (1, 3, and 9 days post-infection) in chicks.
- Confirmed candidate gene functions through competitive infections and complementation assays.
Main Results:
- Identified 11 gene regions crucial for colonization and 15 for persistence in chicks.
- Confirmed six previously unknown genes (STM0580, STM1295, STM1297, STM3612, STM3615, STM3734) essential for Salmonella colonization and persistence.
- Discovered STM1297 (selD) is vital for anaerobic growth and formate metabolism during infection.
Conclusions:
- The hierarchical screening approach effectively identifies essential genes for bacterial infection.
- Six novel genes are critical for Salmonella Typhimurium colonization and persistence in chickens.
- Formate metabolism, mediated by STM1297, plays a significant role in Salmonella infection of poultry.
