Rifampicin-resistant RpoB S522L Vibrio vulnificus exhibits disturbed stress response and hypervirulence traits

Microbiologyopen. 2023 Oct;12(5):e1379. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.1379.

Abstract

Rifampicin resistance, which is genetically linked to mutations in the RNA polymerase β-subunit gene rpoB, has a global impact on bacterial transcription and cell physiology. Previously, we identified a substitution of serine 522 in RpoB (i.e., RpoBS522L ) conferring rifampicin resistance to Vibrio vulnificus, a human food-borne and wound-infecting pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. Transcriptional and physiological analysis of V. vulnificus expressing RpoBS522L showed increased basal transcription of stress-related genes and global virulence regulators. Phenotypically these transcriptional changes manifest as disturbed osmo-stress responses and toxin-associated hypervirulence as shown by reduced hypoosmotic-stress resistance and enhanced cytotoxicity of the RpoBS522L strain. These results suggest that RpoB-linked rifampicin resistance has a significant impact on V. vulnificus survival in the environment and during infection.

Keywords: Vibrio vulnificus; rifampicin resistance; rpoB; stress response; virulence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Rifampin* / pharmacology
  • Vibrio vulnificus* / genetics
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Rifampin
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases