Overexpression of Rv2788 increases mycobacterium stresses survival

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis-one of the most devastating infectious diseases, is a successful intracellular pathogen capable of surviving diverse stresses. Unveiling the molecular mechanisms governing this superior adaptation will inspire better control measures against tuberculosis. To define the role of Rv2788, a manganese-dependent transcriptional repressor, M.smegmatis was used as the host strain for heterologous expression Rv2788. Rv2788 can significantly change the colony morphology and fatty acids and permeability of cell wall, enhance the growth of the recombinants and resistance to diverse stresses, such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), diamide exposure, surface stress, acidic condition, multiple antibiotics treatment including chloramphenicol, vancomycin and amikacin. The dysregulation of the target genes of Rv2788, such as whiB1 and lexA, might underpin such phenotypes. The results implicate important roles of Rv2788 in the survival of Mycobacterium under stresses, and might represent ideal novel antibiotics target candidate.