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Temperature-regulated efflux pump/potassium antiporter system mediates resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides in Yersinia
Article first published online: 16 JUL 2003
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01956.x
1365-2958/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=75254d9e3ae6a0f08085f34cc6e5bd65d8e3d52e "Molecular Microbiology")
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How to Cite
Bengoechea, J. A. and Skurnik, M. (2000), Temperature-regulated efflux pump/potassium antiporter system mediates resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides in Yersinia. Molecular Microbiology, 37: 67–80. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01956.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 JUL 2003
- Article first published online: 16 JUL 2003
- Accepted 5 April, 2000.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Most bacterial pathogens are resistant to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) that are key components of the innate immunity of both vertebrates and invertebrates. In Gram-negative bacteria, the known CAMPs resistance mechanisms involve outer membrane (OM) modifications and specifically those in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. Here we report, the characterization of a novel CAMPs resistance mechanism present in Yersinia that is dependent on an efflux pump/potassium antiporter system formed by the RosA and RosB proteins. The RosA/RosB system is activated by a temperature shift to 37°C, but is also induced by the presence of the CAMPs, such as polymyxin B. This is the first report of a CAMPs resistance system that is induced by the presence of CAMPs. It is proposed that the RosA/RosB system protects the bacteria by both acidifying the cytoplasm to prevent the CAMPs action and pumping the CAMPs out of the cell.