CRISPR/Cas9-targeted smpB mutation revealing roles in biofilm formation, motility, and antibiotic susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant pathogen and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. Its ability to survive in harsh environments and evade antibiotic treatments underscores the urgent need for new therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence suggests that the small protein B (SmpB) may also play broader roles in bacterial virulence, including regulation of biofilm formation, motility, and stress adaptation. However, the specific contributions of SmpB to these pathogenic traits in A. baumannii remain poorly defined. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential for evaluating SmpB as a potential antimicrobial target and developing new strategies to combat multidrug-resistant infections.

Methods

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing was used to

SUBMITTER: Thavorasak T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12321068 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature