The Effect of Mutation in Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis on Bacterial Fitness

Cells. 2022 Oct 16;11(20):3249. doi: 10.3390/cells11203249.

Abstract

This paper presents the genome sequence of a Shigella sonnei mutant strain (S. sonnei 4351) and the effect of mutation in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis on bacterial fitness. Lipopolysaccharides are the major component of the outer leaflet of the Gram-negative outer membrane. We report here a frameshift mutation of the gene gmhD in the genome of S. sonnei 4351. The mutation results in a lack of epimerization of the core heptose while we also found increased thermosensitivity, abnormal cell division, and increased susceptibility to erythromycin and cefalexin compared to the S. sonnei 4303. Comparative genomic analysis supplemented with structural data helps us to understand the effect of specific mutations on the virulence of the bacteria and may provide an opportunity to study the effect of short lipopolysaccharides.

Keywords: Shigella sonnei 4351; bacterial genome; endotoxin; lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis; lipopolysaccharides; mutation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Carbohydrate Epimerases / genetics
  • Cephalexin / pharmacology
  • Erythromycin / pharmacology
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Genetic Fitness*
  • Genome, Bacterial
  • Lipopolysaccharides* / genetics
  • Shigella sonnei* / drug effects
  • Shigella sonnei* / genetics

Substances

  • Cephalexin
  • Erythromycin
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbohydrate Epimerases
  • Bacterial Proteins

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, grant numbers K-125275, FK-129038 and ÚNKP-22-3 and ÚNKP-22-4. Funding was also obtained from the Medical School of University of Pécs, grant numbers PTE-AOK-KA-2017-19 and PTE-AOK-KA-2019-08.