<i>Salmonella</i> exploits host- and bacterial-derived β-alanine for replication inside host macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen that can effectively replicate inside host macrophages to establish life-threatening systemic infections. Salmonella must utilize diverse nutrients for growth in nutrient-poor macrophages, but which nutrients are required for intracellular Salmonella growth is largely unknown. Here, we found that either acquisition from the host or de novo synthesis of a nonprotein amino acid, β-alanine, is critical for Salmonella replication inside macrophages. The concentration of β-alanine is decreased in Salmonella-infected macrophages, while the addition of exogenous β-alanine enhances Salmonella replication in macrophages, suggesting that Salmonella can uptake host-derived β-alanine for intracellular growth. Mor

SUBMITTER: Ma S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12178601 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature