Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

One-step Extraction and Zymographic Analysis of Bacterial Gelatinases
07:20

One-step Extraction and Zymographic Analysis of Bacterial Gelatinases

Published on: August 1, 2025

655

Gelatinase regulates the egress of intracellular replicating populations during Enterococcus faecalis infection

Frederick Reinhart Tanoto1,2, Jia Hui Liew3, Claudia J Stocks1,4

  • 1Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.

Plos Pathogens
|March 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Enterococcus faecalis uses gelatinase (GelE) to escape host cells during chronic wound infections. This metalloprotease is crucial for bacterial survival and explains persistence in wounds.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogen Biology
  • Wound Infections

Background:

  • Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen often found in chronic wounds.
  • Its virulence mechanisms and persistence strategies, especially intracellular survival, are not fully understood.
  • Previous work revealed E. faecalis can survive and replicate within macrophages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key factors modulating Enterococcus faecalis intracellular survival and replication.
  • To elucidate the role of gelatinase (GelE) and the Fsr quorum sensing system in E. faecalis virulence.
  • To understand the transition between intracellular and extracellular lifestyles in chronic wound infections.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the role of GelE and Fsr system in E. faecalis intracellular survival.
  • Utilized a murine wound infection model.
  • Analyzed bacterial intracellular clustering and host cell lysis phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • The Fsr quorum sensing system regulates GelE, a secreted metalloprotease.
  • Fsr activation during intracellular replication promotes GelE-dependent host cell lysis and bacterial egress.
  • GelE deficiency leads to intracellular bacterial clustering and increased intracellular numbers in vivo.
  • GelE orchestrates the transition between intracellular and extracellular lifestyles.

Conclusions:

  • Gelatinase (GelE) is a critical effector for Enterococcus faecalis intracellular survival and egress.
  • The Fsr quorum sensing system controls GelE activity, influencing bacterial lifestyle.
  • GelE's role provides insights into E. faecalis persistence in chronic wound environments.

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