Work

Pseudomonas Can Survive Tailocin Killing via Persistence-Like and Heterogenous Resistance Mechanisms

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Bacteriocins are bacterially produced protein toxins that are proposed as antibiotic alternatives. However, a deeper understanding of the responses of target bacteria to bacteriocin exposure is lacking. Here, we show that target cells of Pseudomonas syringae survive lethal bacteriocin exposure through both physiological persistence and genetic resistance mechanisms. Cells that are not growing rapidly rely primarily on persistence, whereas those growing rapidly are more likely to survive via resistance. We identified various mutations in lipopolysaccharide biogenesis-related regions involved in tailocin persistence and resistance. By assessing host fitness of various classes of mutants, we showed that persistence and subtle resistance are mechanisms P. syringae uses to survive competition and preserve host fitness. These results have important implications for developing bacteriocins as alternative therapeutic agents.

Source: Journal of Bacteriology

DOI: 10.1128/jb.00142-20

Authors: Prem P. Kandel, David A. Baltrus, Kevin L. Hockett

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, University of Arizona

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture