Systematic analysis of the antibacterial mechanisms of reuterin using the <i>E. coli</i> Keio collection.

ABSTRACT: Reuterin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial small molecule produced from glycerol by Limosilactobacillus reuteri through a one-step enzymatic reaction. In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis of the Escherichia coli Keio single-gene knockout mutant library to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of reuterin. Using sublethal concentrations of reuterin, we identified 159 sensitive mutants and 117 resistant mutants. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that gene deletions in pathways related to the synthesis of aromatic amino acids, sulfur metabolism, and glutathione metabolism result in metabolic vulnerabilities that contribute to the antimicrobial mechanism of reuterin. This suggests that reuterin disrupts the intracellular redox balance, leading to reacti

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12345186 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature