Trehalose and α-glucan mediate distinct abiotic stress responses in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009524
• Publication Date: 2021-04-19T21:28:43Z
• Authors: Stuart D. Woodcock; Karl Syson; Richard H. Little; Danny Ward; Despoina Sifouna; James K. M. Brown; Stephen Bornemann; Jacob G. Malone
• Keywords: Osmolyte; Osmotic shock; Desiccation Tolerance

An important prelude to bacterial infection is the ability of a pathogen survive independently host and withstand environmental stress. The compatible solute trehalose has previously been connected with diverse abiotic stress tolerances, particularly osmotic shock. In this study, we combine molecular biology biochemistry dissect metabolic network in opportunistic human Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 define its role protection. We show that metabolism integrated biosynthesis branched α-glucan (glycogen), mutants either biosynthetic pathway significantly compromised for survival on surfaces. While both are tolerance, they counter distinct stresses. Trehalose response, synthesis displaying severely growth elevated salt conditions. However, does not contribute directly desiccation response. Rather, tolerance mediated by GlgE-derived α-glucan, deletion glgE synthase gene compromising low humidity but having little effect sensitivity. Desiccation independent concentration, marking clear distinction between roles these two molecules mediating responses