Metabolite Perception Regulates Colonization and Virulence during Polymicrobial Infection

ABSTRACT: Many human infections are polymicrobial in origin, and interactions among community inhabitants shape colonization patterns and pathogenic potential1. However, few interspecies interactions have been functionally dissected at the molecular level or characterized on a systems level. Periodontitis, which is the sixth most prevalent infectious disease worldwide2, ensues from the action of dysbiotic polymicrobial communities3. The keystone pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and the accessory pathogen Streptococcus gordonii interact to form communities in vitro and exhibit increased fitness in vivo3, 4. The mechanistic basis of this polymicrobial synergy, however, has not been fully elucidated. Here we show that streptococcal 4 aminobenzoate/para-amino benzoic acid (pABA) is required for maximal accumulation of P. gingivalis in dual species communities. Metabolomic and proteomic data showed that exogenous pABA is utilized for folate biosynthesis, and leads to decreased stress and elevated expression of fimbrial interspecies adhesins. Moreover, pABA increased the colonization and survival of P. gingivalis in a murine oral infection model. However, pABA also caused a reduction in virulence in vivo and suppressed extracellular polysaccharide production by P. gingivalis. Collectively, these data reveal a multidimensional aspect to P. gingivalis-S. gordonii interactions and establish pABA as a critical cue produced by a partner species that enhances fitness of P. gingivalis while diminishing virulence.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion

ORGANISM(S): Porphyromonas Gingivalis Atcc 33277

DISEASE(S): Periodontitis

SUBMITTER: John Houser  

LAB HEAD: Edward Marcotte

PROVIDER: PXD006153 | Pride | 2017-09-26

REPOSITORIES: Pride