Taxonomic distribution of SbmA/BacA and BacA-like antimicrobial peptide transporters suggests independent recruitment and convergent evolution in host-microbe interactions.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are often produced by eukaryotes to control bacterial populations in both pathogenic and mutualistic symbioses. Several pathogens and nitrogen-fixing legume symbionts depend on transporters called SbmA (or BacA) or BclA (BacA-like) to survive exposure to AMPs. However, how broadly these transporters are distributed amongst bacteria, and their evolutionary history, is poorly understood. We used computational approaches, including phylogenetic and sequence similarity analyses, to examine the distribution of SbmA/BacA and BclA proteins across 1,255 species spanning the domain Bacteria, leading to the identification of 71 and 177 SbmA/BacA and BclA proteins, respectively. In vitro sensitivity assays using legume AMPs and several BclA proteins confirm

SUBMITTER: Smith NT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12003926 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature