Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Bacteria of the Salmonella genera encode a solo LuxR homolog, SdiA, capable of detecting N-acylhomoserine lactone molecules (acyl-HSLs) produced by other bacteria.In response to acyl-HSLs, SdiA activates seven putative hostinteraction genes, however, it is unclear if acyl-HSLs exist in mammalian intestines.Previously, we demonstrated that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium could detect Yersinia enterocolitica acyl-HSLs through SdiA in the mouse gut, but acyl-HSL detection did not result in an sdiA fitness phenotype.We attempted to study sdiA phenotypes modeling S. Typhimurium -Y.enterocolitica co-infections in conventional pigs because pigs are a known reservoir of both Salmonella and Yersinia.We measured SdiA activity using an S. Typhimurium in vivo reporter system (RIVET) during an S. Typhimurium -Y.enterocolitica co-infection, and observed SdiA activity occurring in pig mesenteric lymph node samples (MLN).We did not, however, observe an sdiA fitness phenotype.We probed the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) gene catalog and indeed observed SdiA activity for WT Salmonella recovered in the feces of CBA/J mice in the third week of infection, but no activity was observed for the sdiA mutant.Thus far, we can conclude that SdiA is active during long-term persistence in the CBA/J mouse gut, but more work is needed to determine I.) when inflammation begins and ends II.) the mouse gut microbial composition before, during, and after Salmonella-induced inflammation III.) how SdiA activity corresponds to inflammation, and IV.) which member(s) of the gut flora are responsible for acyl-HSL production.v Dedication This research was conducted whole-heartedly and in the name of science, however, this work is dedicated to the hundreds of mice and pigs that died by my hands.vi
Author: Matthew C. Swearingen
Institution: The Ohio State University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2283938945