Both toxic and beneficial effects of pyocyanin contribute to the lifecycle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, produces redox-active pigments called phenazines. Pyocyanin (PYO, the blue phenazine) plays an important role during biofilm development. Paradoxically, PYO auto-poisoning can stimulate cell death and release of extracellular DNA (eDNA), yet PYO can also promote survival within biofilms when cells are oxidant-limited. Here, we identify the environmental and physiological conditions in planktonic culture that promote PYO-mediated cell death. We demonstrate that PYO auto-poisoning is enhanced when cells are starved for carbon. In the presence of PYO, cells activate a set of genes involved in energy-dependent defenses, including: (i) the oxidative stress response, (ii) RND efflux systems and (iii) iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis factors. P. ae

SUBMITTER: Meirelles LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6281804 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature