The multifunctional histone-like protein Lsr2 protects mycobacteria against reactive oxygen intermediates.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has evolved a number of strategies to survive within the hostile environment of host phagocytes. Reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates (RNI and ROI) are among the most effective antimycobacterial molecules generated by the host during infection. Lsr2 is a M. tuberculosis protein with histone-like features, including the ability to regulate a variety of transcriptional responses in mycobacteria. Here we demonstrate that Lsr2 protects mycobacteria against ROI in vitro and during macrophage infection. Furthermore, using macrophages derived from NOS(-/-) and Phox(-/-) mice, we demonstrate that Lsr2 is important in protecting against ROI but not RNI. The protection provided by Lsr2 protein is not the result of its ability to either bind iron or scavenge hydroxyl

SUBMITTER: Colangeli R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2657463 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature