The role of Bacillus anthracis germinant receptors in germination and virulence

Molecular Microbiology
Katherine A CarrPhilip C Hanna

Abstract

Nutrient-dependent germination of Bacillus anthracis spores is stimulated when receptors located in the inner membrane detect combinations of amino acid and purine nucleoside germinants. B. anthracis produces five distinct germinant receptors, GerH, GerK, GerL, GerS and GerX. Otherwise isogenic mutant strains expressing only one of these receptors were created and tested for germination and virulence. The GerH receptor was necessary and sufficient for wild-type levels of germination with inosine-containing germinants in the absence of other receptors. GerK and GerL were sufficient for germination in 50 mM L-alanine. When mutants were inoculated intratracheally, any receptor, except for GerX, was sufficient to allow for a fully virulent infection. In contrast, when inoculated subcutaneously only the GerH receptor was able to facilitate a fully virulent infection. These results suggest that route of infection determines germinant receptor requirements. A mutant lacking all five germinant receptors was also attenuated and exhibited a severe germination defect in vitro. Together, these data give us a greater understanding of the earliest moments of germination, and provide a more detailed picture of the signals required to stimulat...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 18, 2012·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Rafik DeyIan J Glomski
Apr 30, 2013·Journal of Bacteriology·Srishti GuptaGraham Christie
Jun 21, 2011·Journal of Bacteriology·Helen LuuErnesto Abel-Santos
Dec 20, 2011·Journal of Bacteriology·Mary J WilsonPhilip C Hanna
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Dec 14, 2011·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Jorge RochaMayra de la Torre
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Nov 14, 2012·The Journal of Infectious Diseases·Jean-Philippe CorrePierre L Goossens
Jul 6, 2014·European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry·Juliana O S GiacoppoTeodorico C Ramalho
Jan 6, 2017·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Kalimuthu KaruppananKaren A McDonald
Jul 14, 2017·PLoS Pathogens·Travis J KochanPhilip C Hanna
May 22, 2019·Microbiology Spectrum·Monika Ehling-SchulzTheresa M Koehler
Jun 24, 2016·Microbiology Spectrum·Anne Moir, Gareth Cooper
Jun 25, 2015·Microbiology Spectrum·Susan WelkosChristopher Cote
May 2, 2013·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Paola A Pinzón-ArangoTerri A Camesano

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