Characterization of the oxidative stress stimulon and PerR regulon of Campylobacter jejuni.

BMC Genomics

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.

Published: October 2009

AI Article Synopsis

  • C. jejuni must navigate oxidative stress from its metabolism and the host's immune response during gut colonization, making its defense mechanisms vital for understanding its pathogenic behavior.
  • Research identified 104 genes regulated by the peroxide-sensing regulator, PerR, influencing motility and colonization in a chick model, despite varying reliance on iron and hydrogen peroxide.
  • The study emphasizes the complex relationships between oxidative stress defense, iron metabolism, and the regulatory factors like PerR and Fur in facilitating C. jejuni survival and colonization in the gut.

Article Abstract

Background: During gut colonization, the enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni must surmount the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species produced by its own metabolism, the host immune system, and intestinal microflora. Elucidation of C. jejuni oxidative stress defense mechanisms is critical for understanding Campylobacter pathophysiology.

Results: The mechanisms of oxidative stress defense in C. jejuni were characterized by transcriptional profiling and phenotypic analysis of wild-type and mutant strains. To define the regulon of the peroxide-sensing regulator, PerR, we constructed an isogenic DeltaperR mutant and compared its transcriptome profile with that of the wild-type strain. Transcriptome profiling identified 104 genes that belonged to the PerR regulon. PerR appears to regulate gene expression in a manner that both depends on and is independent of the presence of iron and/or H2O2. Mutation of perR significantly reduced motility. A phenotypic analysis using the chick colonization model showed that the DeltaperR mutant exhibited attenuated colonization behavior. An analysis of changes in the transcriptome induced by exposure to H2O2, cumene hydroperoxide, or menadione revealed differential expression of genes belonging to a variety of biological pathways, including classical oxidative stress defense systems, heat shock response, DNA repair and metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and multidrug efflux pumps. Mutagenic and phenotypic studies of the superoxide dismutase SodB, the alkyl-hydroxyperoxidase AhpC, and the catalase KatA, revealed a role for these proteins in oxidative stress defense and chick gut colonization.

Conclusion: This study reveals an interplay between PerR, Fur, iron metabolism and oxidative stress defense, and highlights the role of these elements in C. jejuni colonization of the chick cecum and/or subsequent survival.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2772861PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-10-481DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

oxidative stress
24
stress defense
20
perr regulon
8
campylobacter jejuni
8
phenotypic analysis
8
deltaperr mutant
8
stress
6
perr
6
jejuni
5
oxidative
5

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!