A Transcriptional Activator of Ascorbic Acid Transport in Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Required for Optimal Growth in Endophthalmitis in a Strain-Dependent Manner
by
Angela H. Benton 1,2, Mary Darby Jackson 1, Sandy M. Wong 1, Justine L. Dees 1, Brian J. Akerley 1 and Mary E. Marquart 1,*
Angela H. Benton 1,2, Mary Darby Jackson 1, Sandy M. Wong 1, Justine L. Dees 1, Brian J. Akerley 1 and Mary E. Marquart 1,*
1
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
2
Current affiliation: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2019, 7(9), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7090290
Received: 29 July 2019 / Revised: 18 August 2019 / Accepted: 21 August 2019 / Published: 24 August 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights Into The Molecular Pathogenesis of Ocular Infections)
Streptococcus pneumoniae is among the top causes of bacterial endophthalmitis, an infectious disease of the intraocular fluids. The mechanisms by which S. pneumoniae grows and thrives in the intraocular cavity are not well understood. We used a bacterial genome-wide assessment tool (transposon insertion site sequencing) to determine genes essential for S. pneumoniae growth in vitreous humor. The results indicated that an ascorbic acid (AA) transport system subunit was important for growth. We created an isogenic gene deletion mutant of the AA transcriptional activator, ulaR2, in 2 strains of S. pneumoniae. Growth curve analysis indicated that ulaR2 deletion caused attenuated growth in vitro for both strains. However, in vivo vitreous humor infection in rabbits with either strain determined that ulaR2 was necessary for growth in one strain but not the other. These results demonstrate that ulaR2 may be important for fitness during S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis depending on the background of the strain.
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Keywords:
ascorbic acid; endophthalmitis; Streptococcus pneumoniae
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MDPI and ACS Style
Benton, A.H.; Jackson, M.D.; Wong, S.M.; Dees, J.L.; Akerley, B.J.; Marquart, M.E. A Transcriptional Activator of Ascorbic Acid Transport in Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Required for Optimal Growth in Endophthalmitis in a Strain-Dependent Manner. Microorganisms 2019, 7, 290.
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