Biosynthesis and IroC-dependent export of the siderophore salmochelin are essential for virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Mol Microbiol. 2008 Mar;67(5):971-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.06089.x. Epub 2007 Dec 19.

Abstract

In response to iron deprivation, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium secretes two catecholate-type siderophores, enterobactin and its glucosylated derivative salmochelin. Although the systems responsible for enterobactin synthesis and acquisition are well characterized, the mechanisms of salmochelin secretion and acquisition, as well as its role in Salmonella virulence, are incompletely understood. Herein we show by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of culture supernatants from wild type and isogenic mutant bacterial strains that the Major Facilitator Superfamily pump EntS is the major exporter of enterobactin and the ABC transporter IroC exports both salmochelin and enterobactin. Growth promotion experiments demonstrate that IroC is not required for utilization of Fe-enterobactin or Fe-salmochelin, as had been previously suggested, but the ABC transporter protein FepD is required for utilization of both siderophores. Salmonella mutants deficient in salmochelin synthesis or secretion exhibit reduced virulence during systemic infection of mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Enterobactin / analogs & derivatives
  • Enterobactin / analysis
  • Enterobactin / genetics
  • Enterobactin / metabolism*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / microbiology*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics
  • Salmonella typhimurium / growth & development
  • Salmonella typhimurium / metabolism*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / pathogenicity*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Siderophores / analysis
  • Siderophores / genetics
  • Siderophores / metabolism*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Siderophores
  • Enterobactin
  • Iron