Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
The recA operon: A novel stress response gene cluster in Bacteroides fragilis
Research in Microbiology, Volume 165, No. 4, Year 2014
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
Bacteroides fragilis, an opportunistic pathogen of humans, is a leading cause of bacteraemias and anaerobic abscesses which are often treated with metronidazole, a drug which damages DNA. This study investigated the responses of the B. fragilis recA three gene operon to the stress experienced during metronidazole treatment and exposure to reactive oxygen species simulating those generated by the host immune system during infection. A transcriptionally regulated response was observed using quantitative RT-PCR after metronidazole and hydrogen peroxide treatment, with all three genes being upregulated under stress conditions. Invivo and invitro analysis of the functional role of the second gene of the operon was done using heterologous complementation and protein expression (in Escherichia coli), with subsequent biochemical assay. This gene encoded a functional bacterioferritin co-migratory protein (BCP) which was thiol-specific and had antioxidant properties, including protection of the glutamine synthetase III enzyme. This invitro data supports the hypothesis that the genes of the operon may be involved in protection of the bacteria from the oxidative burst during tissue invasion and may play a significant role in bacterial survival and metronidazole resistance during treatment of B. fragilis infections. © 2014 Institut Pasteur.
Authors & Co-Authors
Nicholson, Samantha Anne
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Smalley, Darren J.
United States, Greenville
East Carolina University
Smith, Charles Jeffrey
United States, Greenville
East Carolina University
Abratt, Valerie R.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Statistics
Citations: 11
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.resmic.2014.03.005
ISSN:
09232508
e-ISSN:
17697123
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Study Approach
Quantitative