Shigella flexneri is the
primary
causative agent of worldwide shigellosis. As the pathogen transverses
the distinct niches of the gastrointestinal tract it necessitates
dynamic adaptation strategies to mitigate host antimicrobials such
as dietary fatty acids (FAs) and the bile salt, deoxycholate (DOC).
This study investigates the dynamics of the S. flexneri cell envelope, by interrogating adaptations following FA or DOC
exposure. We deciphered the effects of FAs and DOC on bacterial membrane
fatty acid and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compositions. We identified
novel LPS-based strategies by the pathogen to support resistance to
these host compounds. In particular, expression of S. flexneri very-long O antigen (VL-Oag) LPS was
found to play a central role in stress mitigation, as VL-Oag protects
against antimicrobial FAs, but its presence rendered S. flexneri susceptible to DOC stress. Collectively,
this work underpins the importance for S. flexneri to maintain appropriate regulation of cell envelope constituents,
in particular VL-Oag LPS, to adequately adapt to diverse stresses
during infection.