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Commensal Strains of Neisseria Use DNA to Poison Their Pathogenic Rivals

Brittany A Fleming1, Matthew A Mulvey1

  • 1Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0565, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|August 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Commensal bacteria prevent pathogen invasion by altering DNA methylation. Pathogenic Neisseria strains uptake commensal DNA, leading to methylation pattern mismatches that inhibit their colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Host-Microbe Interactions
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Commensal bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining host health by preventing pathogen colonization.
  • Pathogenic bacteria, such as Neisseria, can cause infections by successfully colonizing host tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms by which commensal bacteria confer colonization resistance against pathogenic Neisseria.
  • To elucidate the role of DNA methylation in host-pathogen interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA methylation patterns in pathogenic Neisseria strains.
  • Investigating the effects of commensal-derived DNA uptake on Neisseria virulence and colonization.
  • Genetic manipulation of methylation pathways in Neisseria.

Main Results:

  • Pathogenic Neisseria strains were found to uptake DNA from commensal bacteria.
  • Uptake of commensal DNA resulted in altered DNA methylation patterns in pathogenic Neisseria.
  • These methylation mismatches significantly impaired the ability of pathogenic Neisseria to colonize the host.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation pattern mismatching is a novel mechanism of colonization resistance.
  • Commensal bacteria can indirectly control pathogen colonization by influencing pathogen epigenetics.
  • Targeting epigenetic modifications could offer new strategies to combat bacterial infections.

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