Corynebacterium diphtheriae putative tellurite-resistance protein (CDCE8392_0813) contributes to the intracellular survival in human epithelial cells and lethality of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the aetiologic agent of diphtheria, also represents a global medical challenge because of the existence of invasive strains as causative agents of systemic infections. Although tellurite (TeO32-) is toxic to most microorganisms, TeO32--resistant bacteria, including C. diphtheriae, exist in nature. The presence of TeO32--resistance (TeR) determinants in pathogenic bacteria might provide selective advantages in the natural environment. In the present study, we investigated the role of the putative TeR determinant (CDCE8392_813gene) in the virulence attributes of diphtheria bacilli. The disruption of CDCE8392_0813 gene expression in the LDCIC-L1 mutant increased susceptibility to TeO32- and reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide), but not to other antimicrobial agents. The LDCIC-L1 mutant also showed a decrease in both the lethality of Caenorhabditis elegans and the survival inside of human epithelial cells compared to wild-type strain. Conversely, the haemagglutinating activity and adherence to and formation of biofilms on different abiotic surfaces were not regulated through the CDCE8392_0813 gene. In conclusion, the CDCE8392_813 gene contributes to the TeR and pathogenic potential of C. diphtheriae.

Analysis of Corynebacterium diphtheriae macrophage interaction: Dispensability of corynomycolic acids for inhibition of phagolysosome maturation and identification of a new gene involved in synthesis of the corynomycolic acid layer

“…In order to evaluate the consequences of mycolic acid deficiency in strain DSM43989, the colonization of C . elegans , an established infection model for corynebacteria [ 20 , 22 , 49 , 50 ], was tested. A nematode killing assays revealed a clear detrimental effect of DSM43989 on C .…”

Multi-omics of the esophageal microenvironment identifies signatures associated with progression of Barrett’s esophagus

“…A unique group of six syntenic proteins including tellurite resistance protein TehA was a key differentiating feature across these groups and was also found in C. rectus ESOS44-4. TehA has been found to contribute to the intracellular survival of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in epithelial cells [ 65 ] and resistance to antiseptics and disinfectants in Escherichia coli [ 66 ]. Of note, bacteria in the tumor microenvironment have been recently reported to consist mostly of species that have an intracellular niche in different tumor cell types including immune cells [ 67 ], with Campylobacter species being members of a polymicrobial signature associated with colorectal cancer [ 68 ].…”

Whole genome sequence of a non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain from a hospital in southeastern China

“…Another gene GE2120, which was homologous to GE0813 in the strain CDCE8392, was involved in tellurite resistance. The presence of the GE0813 gene not only enhances the survival of pathogens in the natural environment, but increases the lethality of Caenorhabditis elegans and its survival inside human epithelial cells [ 26 ].…”