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The induction of natural competence adapts staphylococcal metabolism to infection

Author

Listed:
  • Mar Cordero

    (Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC))

  • Julia García-Fernández

    (Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC))

  • Ivan C. Acosta

    (Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC))

  • Ana Yepes

    (University of Würzburg
    University of Würzburg)

  • Jose Avendano-Ortiz

    (IdiPaz La Paz University Hospital)

  • Clivia Lisowski

    (University of Würzburg)

  • Babett Oesterreicht

    (University of Würzburg
    University of Würzburg)

  • Knut Ohlsen

    (University of Würzburg
    University of Würzburg)

  • Eduardo Lopez-Collazo

    (IdiPaz La Paz University Hospital
    CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES))

  • Konrad U. Förstner

    (University of Würzburg
    University of Würzburg
    Information Centre for Life Science (ZBMED)
    TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences)

  • Ana Eulalio

    (University of Würzburg
    University of Coimbra
    University of Aveiro)

  • Daniel Lopez

    (Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC)
    University of Würzburg
    University of Würzburg)

Abstract

A central question concerning natural competence is why orthologs of competence genes are conserved in non-competent bacterial species, suggesting they have a role other than in transformation. Here we show that competence induction in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus occurs in response to ROS and host defenses that compromise bacterial respiration during infection. Bacteria cope with reduced respiration by obtaining energy through fermentation instead. Since fermentation is energetically less efficient than respiration, the energy supply must be assured by increasing the glycolytic flux. The induction of natural competence increases the rate of glycolysis in bacteria that are unable to respire via upregulation of DNA- and glucose-uptake systems. A competent-defective mutant showed no such increase in glycolysis, which negatively affects its survival in both mouse and Galleria infection models. Natural competence foster genetic variability and provides S. aureus with additional nutritional and metabolic possibilities, allowing it to proliferate during infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Mar Cordero & Julia García-Fernández & Ivan C. Acosta & Ana Yepes & Jose Avendano-Ortiz & Clivia Lisowski & Babett Oesterreicht & Knut Ohlsen & Eduardo Lopez-Collazo & Konrad U. Förstner & Ana Eulalio, 2022. "The induction of natural competence adapts staphylococcal metabolism to infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29206-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29206-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Marta Ukleja & Lara Kricks & Gabriel Torrens & Ilaria Peschiera & Ines Rodrigues-Lopes & Marcin Krupka & Julia García-Fernández & Roberto Melero & Rosa Campo & Ana Eulalio & André Mateus & María López, 2024. "Flotillin-mediated stabilization of unfolded proteins in bacterial membrane microdomains," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.

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