Mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 is critical for BCG survival in stressful environments and simultaneously regulates gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Survival of the live attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine amidst harsh host environments is key for BCG effectiveness as it allows continuous immune response induction and protection against tuberculosis. Mycobacterial DNA binding protein 1 (MDP1), a nucleoid associated protein, is essential in BCG. However, there is limited knowledge on the extent of MDP1 gene regulation and how this influences BCG survival. Here, we demonstrate that MDP1 conditional knockdown (cKD) BCG grows slower than vector control in vitro, and dies faster upon exposure to antibiotics (bedaquiline) and oxidative stress (H₂O₂ and menadione). MDP1-cKD BCG also exhibited low infectivity and survival in THP-1 macrophages and mice indicating possible susceptibility to host mediated stres

SUBMITTER: Shaban AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10465568 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature