PolyGlcNAc-containing exopolymers enable surface penetration by non-motile Enterococcus faecalis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007571
• Publication Date: 2019-02-11T18:41:56Z
• Authors: Yusibeska Ramos; Jorge Rocha; Ana L. Hael; Jordi van Gestel; Hera Vlamakis; Colette Cywes-Ben...; Juan R. Cubillos-...; Gerald B. Pier; Michael S. Gilmore; Roberto Kolter; Diana K. Morales
• Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Penetration (warfare); Bacterial Genetics

Bacterial pathogens have evolved strategies that enable them to invade tissues and spread within the host. Enterococcus faecalis is a leading cause of local disseminated multidrug-resistant hospital infections, but molecular mechanisms used by this non-motile bacterium penetrate surfaces translocate through remain largely unexplored. Here we present experimental evidence indicating E. generates exopolysaccharides containing β-1,6-linked poly-N-acetylglucosamine (polyGlcNAc) as mechanism successfully semisolid human epithelial cell monolayers. Genetic screening analyses mutant strains identified glnA, rpiA epaX genes critically required for optimal penetration translocation. Mechanistically, GlnA RpiA cooperated generate uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) was utilized EpaX synthesize polyGlcNAc-containing polymers. Notably, exogenous supplementation with polymeric (PNAG) restored surface mutants devoid EpaX. Our study uncovers an unexpected whereby RpiA-GlnA-EpaX metabolic axis enables production polysaccharides endow ability surfaces. Hence, targeting carbohydrate metabolism or inhibiting biosynthesis exopolymers may represent new strategy more effectively confront enterococcal infections in clinic.