Cyclic-di-GMP levels affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa fitness in the presence of imipenem

Author(s)

Nicastro, Gianlucca G. ^[1] ; Kaihami, Gilberto H. ^[1] ; Pereira, Thays O. ^[1] ; Meireles, Diogo A. ^[1] ; Groleau, Marie-Christine ^[2] ; Deziel, Eric ^[2] ; Baldini, Regina L. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, BR-01498 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] INRS, Inst Armand Frappier, Laval, PQ - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY; v. 16, n. 5, p. 1321-1333, MAY 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

A large number of genes coding for enzymes predicted to synthesize and degrade 3 `-5 `-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) is found in most bacterial genomes and this dinucleotide emerged as an intracellular signal-controlling bacterial behaviour. An association between high levels of c-di-GMP and antibiotic resistance may be expected because c-di-GMP regulates biofilm formation and this mode of growth leads to enhanced antibiotic resistance. However, a clear understanding of this correlation has not been established. We found that increased levels of c-di-GMP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa improve fitness in the presence of imipenem, even when grown as planktonic cells. P. aeruginosa post-transcriptionally regulates the amounts of five porins in response to c-di-GMP, including OprD, responsible for imipenem uptake. Cells with low c-di-GMP levels are consequently more sensitive to this antibiotic. Main efflux pumps or beta-lactamase genes did not show altered mRNA levels in P. aeruginosa strains with modified different c-di-GMP concentrations. Together, our findings show that c-di-GMP levels modulate fitness of planktonic cultures in the presence of imipenem. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09211-9 - Function and regulation of virulence-related genes of the proteobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Grantee: Regina Lúcia Baldini
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/08841-9 - Comparative analysis of regulatory mechanisms related to the second messenger c-di-GMP in Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas
• Grantee: Regina Lúcia Baldini
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/03121-2 - Function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14_41070 gene, involved in pathogenicity and quorum sensing
• Grantee: Diogo de Abreu Meireles
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/08198-9 - Search for targets of the second messenger c-diGMP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Grantee: Gianlucca Gonçalves Nicastro
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate