Colistin heteroresistance in Enterobacter cloacae is regulated by PhoPQ-dependent 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose addition to lipid A.

ABSTRACT: The Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) consists of closely related bacteria commonly associated with the human microbiota. ECC are increasingly isolated from healthcare-associated infections, demonstrating that these Enterobacteriaceae are emerging nosocomial pathogens. ECC can rapidly acquire multidrug resistance to conventional antibiotics. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) have served as therapeutic alternatives because they target the highly conserved lipid A component of the Gram-negative outer membrane. Many Enterobacteriaceae fortify their outer membrane with cationic amine-containing moieties to prevent CAMP binding, which can lead to cell lysis. The PmrAB two-component system (TCS) directly activates 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose (l-Ara4N) biosynthesis to result in cationic am

SUBMITTER: Kang KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6561824 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature