期刊
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
卷 10, 期 2, 页码 -出版社
AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01329-21
关键词
zinc; copper; poly-gamma-glutamic acid; biofilm; Bacillus subtilis
类别
Zinc and copper are essential micronutrients that are toxic to bacteria at elevated concentrations. Bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms, including the production of extracellular polymeric substance poly-gamma-glutamate (gamma-PGA) to combat zinc and copper excess. This study provides new insight into metal resistance mechanisms and regulation of bacterial gamma-PGA biosynthesis.
Zinc and copper are essential micronutrients that serve as a cofactors for numerous enzymes. However, when present at elevated concentrations, zinc and copper are highly toxic to bacteria. To combat the effects of zinc and copper excess, bacteria have evolved a wide array of defense mechanisms. Here, we show that the Gram-positive soil bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, produces the extracellular polymeric substance, poly-gamma-glutamate (gamma-PGA) as a protective mechanism in response to zinc and copper excess. Furthermore, we provide evidence that zinc and copper dependent gamma-PGA production is independent of the DegS-DegQ two-component regulatory system and likely occurs at a posttranscriptional level through the small protein, PgsE. These data provide new insight into bacterial metal resistance mechanisms and contribute to our understanding of the regulation of bacterial gamma-PGA biosynthesis. IMPORTANCE Zinc and copper are potent antimicrobial compounds. As such, bacteria have evolved a diverse range of tools to prevent metal intoxication. Here, we show that the Gram-positive model organism, Bacillus subtilis, produces poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) as a protective mechanism against zinc and copper intoxication and that zinc and copper dependent gamma-PGA production occurs by a yet undefined mechanism independent of known gamma-PGA regulation pathways.
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