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Prophage Gene Rv2650c Enhances Intracellular Survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis
Xiangyu Fan1, Zichen Liu1, Zhibin Wan2
1Country College of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, China.
Background:
Induced by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis remains one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. As a special virus, prophage is domesticated by its host and are major contributors to virulence factors for bacterial pathogenicity. The function of prophages and their genes in M. tuberculosis is still unknown.
Methods:
Rv2650c is a prophage gene in M. tuberculosis genome. We constructed recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) to observe bacteria morphology and analyze the resistance to various adverse environments. Recombinant and control strains were used to infect macrophages, respectively. Furthermore, we performed ELISA experiments of infected macrophages.
Results:
Rv2650c affected the spread of colonies of M. smegmatis and enhanced the resistance of M. smegmatis to macrophages and various stress agents such as acid, oxidative stress, and surfactant. ELISA experiments revealed that the Rv2650c can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-6.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that the prophage gene Rv2650c can inhibit the spread of colonies and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote intracellular survival of M. smegmatis. These results build the foundation for the discovery of virulence factors of M. tuberculosis, and provide novel insights into the function of the prophage in Mycobacterium.
Insights
The prophage gene Rv2650c in Mycobacterium tuberculosis enhances bacterial survival and reduces inflammation. This finding offers new insights into tuberculosis virulence factors and prophage functions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a major global health threat.
- Prophages, integrated viral DNA, are known to contribute to bacterial virulence.
- The specific roles of prophage genes in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the prophage gene Rv2650c in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
- To determine the impact of Rv2650c on bacterial morphology, environmental stress resistance, and host-pathogen interactions.
Main Methods:
- Construction of recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis strains expressing Rv2650c.
- Assessment of bacterial morphology and resistance to stress agents (acid, oxidative stress, surfactant).
- Macrophage infection assays and ELISA to measure inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6).
Main Results:
- Rv2650c influenced Mycobacterium smegmatis colony spread and increased resistance to macrophages and environmental stressors.
- The gene enhanced intracellular survival of M. smegmatis.
- ELISA revealed Rv2650c inhibits the expression of key inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-6.
Conclusions:
- The prophage gene Rv2650c plays a role in inhibiting colony spread and inflammatory responses, promoting intracellular survival in Mycobacterium.
- These findings contribute to understanding Mycobacterium virulence factors.
- The study provides novel insights into the functional significance of prophages in Mycobacterium species.
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