A bacterial membrane protein, BacA, protects Sinorhizobium meliloti against the antimicrobial activity of host peptides, enabling the peptides to induce bacterial persistence rather than bacterial death.

No abstract

Background: Legume antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) mediate Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteroid differentiation. Results: Cysteine replacements and disulfide bond modifications influence the antimicrobial activity of a legume AMP and its ability to mediate S. meliloti bacteroid differentiation. Conclusion: Specific changes to legume AMPs influence their activity against S. meliloti. Significance: Understanding the relationship of AMPs in S. meliloti bacteroid differentiation is fundamental for nitrogen fixation and legume growth.