Proline Stickland fermentation supports <i>C. difficile</i> spore maturation.

ABSTRACT: Clostridioides difficile is an anaerobic pathogen that thrives in the metabolically diverse intestinal environment. C. difficile is readily transmitted due to its transformation into a dormant spore form that is highly resistant to heat and disinfectants. Nutrient limitation is a key driver of spore formation; however, few metabolites have been directly shown to influence the regulation of C. difficile sporulation. A distinct aspect of C. difficile biology is the fermentation of amino acids through Stickland metabolism pathways, which are critical sources of energy for this pathogen. We hypothesized that as a preferred energy source, the amino acid proline may serve as a signal that regulates the initiation of sporulation or the development of spores. Using muta

SUBMITTER: Carter ZA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12285225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature