DNA damage and reactive nitrogen species are barriers to Vibrio cholerae colonization of the infant mouse intestine.

ABSTRACT: Ingested Vibrio cholerae pass through the stomach and colonize the small intestines of its host. Here, we show that V. cholerae requires at least two types of DNA repair systems to efficiently compete for colonization of the infant mouse intestine. These results show that V. cholerae experiences increased DNA damage in the murine gastrointestinal tract. Agreeing with this, we show that passage through the murine gut increases the mutation frequency of V. cholerae compared to liquid culture passage. Our genetic analysis identifies known and novel defense enzymes required for detoxifying reactive nitrogen species (but not reactive oxygen species) that are also required for V. cholerae to efficiently colonize the infant mouse intestine, pointing to reactive nitrogen species as the potential c

SUBMITTER: Davies BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3040672 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature