New Insights into the Role of Metals in Host–Pathogen Interactions

Ammendola, Serena; Battistoni, Andrea

doi:10.3390/ijms23126483

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…CjeN degrades both double stranded DNA and RNA, and its activity was dependent on divalent metal ions Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , and Zn 2+ inhibits its activity. Metal homeostasis is central to host-pathogen interactions [40]; therefore, it was not surprising to have observed differential regulation of genes associated with several metal ions, including those associated with Ca 2+ , Zn 2+ and copper (Cu 2+ ) homeostasis during C. jejuni infection of A. castellanii . Although CjeN has a signalling peptide and is likely transported to the extracellular environment, it remains unclear whether it is consistently cleaved and detached from the bacteria or if it remains attached to the surface in some instances, similar in other bacteria [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acanthamoeba castellaniias a model for unveilingCampylobacter jejunihost-pathogen dynamics

Nasher,

Lehri,

Stabler

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The persistence of the major enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in the natural environment, despite being microaerophilic, remains unsolved. Its survival in the natural atmospheric environment likely stems from several factors, including interactions with amoebae. C. jejuni transiently interacts with Acanthamoebae and this is thought to provide protection against unfavourable atmospheric conditions and subsequently prime the bacteria for interactions with warm-blooded hosts. Acanthamoebae play vital roles in microbial ecosystems by preying on bacterial species, some of which are clinically important. We analysed the whole transcriptome of A. castellanii infected with C. jejuni 11168H. Our findings provide evidence that infection of A. castellanii with C. jejuni triggers distinct and reproducible cellular responses. Upregulated genes were associated with protein synthesis, DNA damage and repair, gluconeogenic pathways, and protein folding and targeting, while downregulated genes were involved in calcium ion transport, osmotic stress response, energy reserve metabolic processes, and protein hydroxylation. From this data we characterized Cj0979c, named here C. jejuni endonuclease (CjeN), which induces DNA damage in A. castellanii. High-resolution microscopy revealed an unexpected association between C. jejuni and host mitochondria, while infected cells show elevated cytosolic calcium levels and metabolic changes favouring Warburg-like metabolism. The increased lactate production was subsequently depleted, suggesting that this host metabolic by-product may support C. jejuni survival. These findings identify an unexpected interaction between amoebae and a microaerophilic bacterium and provides a useful model for further research on host-pathogen interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%