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

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2015-08, Vol.110 (5), p.662-668
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Louisy Sanches, Antunes, Camila Azevedo, dos Santos, Cintia Silva, Pereira, José Augusto Adler, Sabbadini, Priscila Soares, de Luna, Maria das Graças, Azevedo, Vasco, Júnior, Raphael Hirata, Burkovski, Andreas, Asad, Lídia Maria Buarque de Oliveira, Mattos-Guaraldi, Ana Luíza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Proteins - physiology; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans - microbiology; Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology; CDCE8392_0813 protein; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Corynebacterium diphtheriae - drug effects; Corynebacterium diphtheriae - pathogenicity; Epithelial Cells - microbiology; HEp-2 cells; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; PARASITOLOGY; tellurite-resistance; Tellurium - pharmacology; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Virulence; Virulence Factors - physiology
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760140479

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_813 gene) 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.