Copper selects for siderophore-mediated virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• DOI: 10.1101/2021.09.08.459405
• Publication Date: 2021-09-08T20:40:10Z
• Authors: Luke Lear; Elze Hesse; Angus Buckling; Michiel Vos
• Keywords: Pyoverdine; Pyocyanin; Galleria mellonella

Abstract Iron is essential for almost all bacterial pathogens and consequently it actively withheld by their hosts. However, the production of extracellular siderophores enables iron sequestration pathogens, increasing virulence. Another function detoxification non-ferrous metals. Here, we experimentally link virulence roles testing whether opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa displays greater after exposure to copper. To do this, incubated P. under different environmentally relevant copper regimes either two or twelve days. Subsequent growth in a copper-free environment removed phenotypic effects, before quantified pyoverdine (the primary siderophore produced ), using Galleria mellonella infection model. Copper selected increased production, which was positively correlated with This effect time, such that populations high days were most virulent. Replication experiment non-pyoverdine producing strain demonstrated largely responsible change Therefore here show direct between metal stress virulence, highlighting another dimension detrimental effects pollution on human health.