Combinatorial selection in amoebal hosts drives the evolution of the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila.

ABSTRACT: Virulence mechanisms typically evolve through the continual interaction of a pathogen with its host. In contrast, it is poorly understood how environmentally acquired pathogens are able to cause disease without prior interaction with humans. Here, we provide experimental evidence for the model that Legionella pathogenesis in humans results from the cumulative selective pressures of multiple amoebal hosts in the environment. Using transposon sequencing, we identify Legionella pneumophila genes required for growth in four diverse amoebae, defining universal virulence factors commonly required in all host cell types and amoeba-specific auxiliary genes that determine host range. By comparing genes that promote growth in amoebae and macrophages, we show that adaptation of L. pneumophila to each

SUBMITTER: Park JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10234074 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature