The Spx Regulator Modulates Stress Responses and Virulence in Enterococcus faecalis

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.00026-12
• Publication Date: 2012-04-17T05:26:55Z
• Authors: Jessica K. Kajfasz; Jorge E. Mendoza; Anthony O. Gaca; James H. Miller; Kristy A. Koselny; Marcia Giambiagi-...; Melanie Wellington; Jacqueline Abranches; José A. Lemos
• Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Strain (injury); Response regulator

The ability to cope with endogenous or host-generated reactive oxygen species is considered a key virulence attribute of the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, leading cause hospital-acquired infections. In this study, we used in silico and mutational analyses identify characterize role Spx global regulator oxidative stress tolerance E. faecalis. While Δspx strain grew as well wild-type under anaerobic conditions, mutant exhibited impaired growth aerobic conditions was highly sensitive agents. spx also variety other stressful including antibiotic killing by mouse-derived macrophage cell line J774. Using murine model foreign body-associated peritonitis, demonstrated that colonize peritoneum disseminate bloodstream significantly reduced compared parent strain. Transcriptional analysis revealed large number known genes are positive control Spx. Collectively, our results show major gene implicated pathophysiology relationship regulators discussed.