Role of the type II toxin-antitoxin system in the bacterial pathogenesis of a hybrid strain: atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and extraintestinal E. coli

• Grant number: 23/01700-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Roxane Maria Fontes Piazza
• Grantee: Jessika Cristina Alves da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/14821-7 - Exploring novel virulence strategies in Escherichia coli, AP.TEM

Abstract

Toxin-antitoxin systems are genetic modules composed of a labile antitoxin that inhibits a stable toxin and are associated with some physiological processes of bacteria, such as the formation of persistent cells, biofilm formation, protection against bacteriophages and responses to stressful environments. In these modules, the toxin is related to the inhibition of physiological processes and the antitoxin confers protection to the bacterial cell from the action of the toxin. These systems are widely distributed in prokaryotes and eight groups of these modules are described, which are distinguished by the nature and action of their antitoxin. Type II YhaV-PrlF and YoeB-YefM systems found in the genome of the hybrid strain BA1250 atypical EPEC and ExPEC were analyzed at the transcriptional level for the response to stress and showed an increase in gene expression under certain conditions. However, the role of TA systems is still not fully established in bacterial pathogenesis, especially in a hybrid strain with a high virulence potential such as the BA1250 strain. Thus, the study of these systems is important for understanding these processes. Thus, using deletion and complementation of these systems, their role will be evaluated in terms of virulence, persistence, biofilm formation and stress response in the hybrid BA1250 strain.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SILVA, JESSIKA C. A.; MARQUES-NETO, LAZARO M.; CARVALHO, ENEAS; DEL CARPIO, ALEJANDRA M. G.; HENRIQUE, CAMILA; LEITE, LUCIANA C. C.; MITSUNARI, THAIS; ELIAS, WALDIR P.; MUNHOZ, DANIELLE D.; PIAZZA, ROXANE M. F.. Chromosomal Type II Toxin-Antitoxin Systems May Enhance Bacterial Fitness of a Hybrid Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Under Stress Conditions. TOXINS, v. 16, n. 11, p. 15-pg., 2024-11-01. (17/14821-7, 19/02305-0, 17/24832-6, 23/01700-8)