A new role for Zinc limitation in bacterial pathogenicity: modulation of α-hemolysin from uropathogenic Escherichia coli

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24964-1
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19T13:11:32Z
• Authors: Elsa Velasco; Suning Wang; Marianna Sanet; Jorge Fernández-V...; Daniel Jové; Estibaliz Glaría; Annabel F. Valledor; Thomas V. O’Halloran; Carlos Balsalobre
• Keywords: Virulence factor; Pathogenicity island; Hemolysin

Metal limitation is a common situation during infection and can have profound effects on the pathogen's success. In this report, we examine role of zinc in expression virulence factor uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The pyelonephritis isolate J96 carries two hlyCABD operons that encode RTX toxin α-hemolysin. While coding regions both are largely conserved, upstream sequences, including promoters, unrelated. We show here differently regulated. hly II operon efficiently silenced presence highly expressed when limited. contrast, I does not respond to limitation. Genetic studies reveal zinc-responsive regulation controlled by Zur metalloregulatory protein. A binding site was identified promoter sequence operon, observe direct region. Moreover, find modulates ability E. coli induce cytotoxic response host cell lines culture. Our report constitutes first description involvement zinc-sensing protein directly modulating bacteria.