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Second messenger signaling in Clostridioides difficile.

Erin B Purcell1

  • 1Old Dominion University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 4501 Elkhorn Ave, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|December 5, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Clostridioides difficile uses nucleotide second messengers to respond to its environment. This review covers cyclic diguanylate, cyclic diadenylate, and guanosine alarmones in C. difficile signaling.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Second messenger molecules are crucial for intracellular communication in bacteria.
  • Clostridioides difficile, an enteropathogen, utilizes nucleotide-based signaling to adapt to environmental changes.
  • While cyclic diguanylate signaling is well-studied, cyclic diadenylate and guanosine alarmones are newly recognized in C. difficile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of nucleotide second messenger signaling in Clostridioides difficile.
  • To highlight the roles of cyclic diguanylate, cyclic diadenylate, and guanosine alarmones in C. difficile physiology.
  • To consolidate recent findings on novel signaling pathways in this bacterium.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on nucleotide second messengers in Clostridioides difficile.
  • Analysis of existing data on riboswitch-mediated cyclic diguanylate regulation.
  • Synthesis of recent findings on cyclic diadenylate and guanosine alarmone signaling.

Main Results:

  • Cyclic diguanylate is a well-established regulator of C. difficile physiology via riboswitches.
  • Cyclic diadenylate and guanosine alarmones have recently been confirmed as signaling molecules in C. difficile.
  • These messengers collectively influence transcription, translation, and metabolism in response to environmental cues.

Conclusions:

  • Nucleotide second messenger signaling is vital for C. difficile's adaptation and virulence.
  • Further research into cyclic diadenylate and guanosine alarmone pathways will enhance understanding of C. difficile pathogenesis.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview of essential signaling mechanisms in C. difficile.