MntR modulates expression of the PerR regulon and superoxide resistance in Staphylococcus aureus through control of manganese uptake co-ordinated regulation of metal ion homeostasis and oxidative stress resistance via the regulators MntR, PerR and Fur of S. aureus is discussed. IntroductionThe acquisition of metal ions is essential for the life of all organisms. During bacterial infection, the host restricts the availability of some metal ions, such as iron. With the exception of Borrelia burgdorferi (Posey and Gherardini, 2000), successful colonization requires that pathogenic bacteria overcome this iron limitation (Wooldridge and Williams, 1993). Although B. burgdorferi does not need iron, it has an obligate requirement for manganese (Mn) (Posey and Gherardini, 2000). Manganese uptake has recently been shown to be important for a number of other pathogens. Bacterial Nramp homologues, called MntH, are selective Mn transporters that play a role in the response to reactive oxygen species and may have a role in pathogenesis (Kehres et al., 2000;Makui et al., 2000). In addition, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of Mn transporters (Claverys, 2001) was clearly shown to be important during infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis (Singh et al., 1998), Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus parasanguinis (Burnette-Curley et al., 1995;Berry and Paton, 1996) and Yersinia pestis (Bearden and Perry, 1999). Thus, Mn can be added to the in vivo growth requirements of many pathogens (Posey and Gherardini, 2000).In bacteria, specific cellular roles have been determined for Mn as a cofactor in enzymes for metabolism, catabolism, signal transduction and photosynthesis (reviewed by Yocum and Pecoraro, 1999;Jakubovics and Jenkinson, 2001). In addition, an enzymatic and a non-enzymatic role for Mn in the protection of the cell from oxidative stress has been described. Many bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (Clements et al., 1999;Valderas and Hart, 2001), contain a Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) that catalyses the reduction of superoxide radicals to produce H 2 O 2 . Furthermore, inactivation of sodA, which encodes Mn-SOD, reduces virulence of Strep. pneumoniae in a murine intranasal infection (Yesilkaya et al., 2000).Simple Mn(II) salts are known to catalyse the dismutation of superoxide radical (Archibald and Fridovich, 1981a,b;. A number of bacteria have been shown SummaryThe Staphylococcus aureus DtxR-like protein, MntR, controls expression of the mntABC and mntH genes, which encode putative manganese transporters. Mutation of mntABC produced a growth defect in metal-depleted medium and increased sensitivity to intracellularly generated superoxide radicals. These phenotypes resulted from diminished uptake of manganese and were rescued by the addition of excess Mn(II). Resistance to superoxide was incompletely rescued by Mn(II) for STE035 (mntA mntH), and the strain had reduced virulence in a murine abscess model of infection. Expression of mntABC was repressed by Mn(II) in an MntR-dependent manner, which cont...

Carbon monoxide, a classical respiratory inhibitor, also exerts vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. COreleasing molecules have therapeutic value, increasing phagocytosis and reducing sepsis-induced lethality. Here we identify for the first time the bacterial targets of Ru(CO) 3 Cl(glycinate) (CORM-3), a ruthenium-based carbonyl that liberates CO rapidly under physiological conditions. Contrary to the expectation that CO would be preferentially inhibitory at low oxygen tensions or anaerobically, Escherichia coli cultures were also sensitive to CORM-3 at concentrations equimolar with oxygen. CORM-3, assayed as ruthenium, was taken up by bacteria and rapidly delivered CO intracellularly to terminal oxidases. Microarray analysis of CORM-3-treated cells revealed extensively modified gene expression, notably down-regulation of genes encoding key aerobic respiratory complexes. Genes involved in metal metabolism, homeostasis, or transport were also differentially expressed, and free intracellular zinc levels were elevated. Probabilistic modeling of transcriptomic data identified the global transcription regulators ArcA, CRP, Fis, FNR, Fur, BaeR, CpxR, and IHF as targets and potential CO sensors. Our discovery that CORM-3 is an effective inhibitor and global regulator of gene expression, especially under aerobic conditions, has important implications for administration of CO-releasing agents in sepsis and inflammation.It has been recognized for over 80 years that carbon monoxide (CO) combines with ferrous hemoglobin, competing with oxygen and inhibiting respiration (1). Recently, however, CO has been shown to have unexpected and profound physiological effects in higher organisms. Inducible heme oxygenase-1 and constitutive heme oxygenase-2 degrade heme to generate CO that has vasodilatory, antiflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects (2). The CO is thought to target transition elements in biological systems, particularly hemes (in oxidases, globins, and CO sensors, for example) (3), nickel (in CO dehydrogenase), and complex nickel-, iron-and sulfur-containing clusters (2). The impact of CO in physiology and medicine has prompted development of metal carbonyl compounds (carbon monoxide-releasing molecules; CO-RMs) 2 to deliver CO in biological environments. Such molecules are pharmacologically active, eliciting vasodilation in isolated aorta and mediating hypotension in vivo (4). Newer water-soluble CO-RMs have revealed roles for CO in suppression of inflammation, protection against hypoxia-reoxygenation and oxidative stress, and mitigation of myocardial infarction and other disorders (5).Considering the potent biological activities of CO and CORMs, we know little about CO toxicity toward microorganisms, despite CO being a stable gas that might find application in antimicrobial therapies. Indeed, recent studies in inflammatory models of disease, such as endotoxin exposure, suggest that heme oxygenase-1 and its products exert beneficial effects in mice (6 -8). Although biliverdin (9) generated by HO ac...

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N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine.

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Fifty-eight patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon took bran crispbread, ispaghula drink, and placebo for four months each in a randomised, cross-over, double-blind controlled trial. Assessments were made subjectively, using a monthly self-administered questionnaire, and objectively, by examining a seven-day stool collection at the end of each treatment period. In terms of a pain score, lower bowel symptom score (the pain score and sensation of incomplete emptying, straining, stool consistency, flatus, and aperients taken), and total symptom score (belching, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, and abdominal distension) fibre supplementation conferred no benefit. Symptoms of constipation, however, when assessed alone, were significantly relieved. Both fibre regimens produced the expected changes in stool weight, consistency, and frequency.It is concluded that dietary fibre supplements in the commonly used doses do no more than relieve constipation. Perhaps the impression that fibre helps diverticular disease is simply a manifestation of Western civilisation's obsession with the need for regular frequent defecation.

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