NlpC/P60 peptidoglycan hydrolases of Trichomonas vaginalis have complementary activities that empower the protozoan to control host-protective lactobacilli.

ABSTRACT: Trichomonas vaginalis is a human protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Trichomoniasis is accompanied by a shift to a dysbiotic vaginal microbiome that is depleted of lactobacilli. Studies on co-cultures have shown that vaginal bacteria in eubiosis (e.g. Lactobacillus gasseri) have antagonistic effects on T. vaginalis pathogenesis, suggesting that the parasite might benefit from shaping the microbiome to dysbiosis (e.g. Gardnerella vaginalis among other anaerobes). We have recently shown that T. vaginalis has acquired NlpC/P60 genes from bacteria, expanding them to a repertoire of nine TvNlpC genes in two distinct clans, and that TvNlpCs of clan A are active against bacterial peptidoglycan. Here, we expand this characterization to TvNlpCs

SUBMITTER: Barnett MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10461829 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature