Blocking RpoN reduces virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis patients and increases antibiotic sensitivity in a laboratory strain

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 30;9(1):6677. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43060-6.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant organisms are increasing in healthcare settings, and there are few antimicrobials available to treat infections from these bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in burn patients and individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), and a leading cause of nosocomial infections. P. aeruginosa is inherently resistant to many antibiotics and can develop resistance to others, limiting treatment options. P. aeruginosa has multiple sigma factors to regulate transcription. The alternative sigma factor, RpoN (σ54), regulates many virulence genes and is linked to antibiotic resistance. Recently, we described a cis-acting peptide, RpoN*, which is a "molecular roadblock", binding consensus promoters at the -24 site, blocking transcription. RpoN* reduces virulence of P. aeruginosa laboratory strains, but its effects in clinical isolates was unknown. We investigated the effects of RpoN* on phenotypically varied P. aeruginosa strains isolated from CF patients. RpoN* expression reduced motility, biofilm formation, and pathogenesis in a P. aeruginosa-C. elegans infection model. Furthermore, we investigated RpoN* effects on antibiotic susceptibility in a laboratory strain. RpoN* expression increased susceptibility to several beta-lactam-based antibiotics in strain P. aeruginosa PA19660 Xen5. We show that using a cis-acting peptide to block RpoN consensus promoters has potential clinical implications in reducing virulence and improving antibiotic susceptibility.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pseudomonas Infections / diagnosis
  • Pseudomonas Infections / drug therapy
  • Pseudomonas Infections / etiology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity
  • RNA Polymerase Sigma 54 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • RNA Polymerase Sigma 54 / genetics
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA Polymerase Sigma 54